Proximal tibial osteotomy for genu varum:Radiological evaluation of deformity correction with a plate vs external fixator

BACKGROUND High tibial osteotomy(HTO)is a well-known procedure for the correction of knee varus.The purpose of this study was to compare the radiological results and accuracy of deformity correction performed using two different techniques:acute opening wedge correction using a plate and gradual correction with a monolateral external fixator.AIM To compare of the radiological results of two different techniques:acute opening wedge correction(a plate and screw)and gradual correction(external fixator).METHODS A total of 43 patients with plates and 36 patients with external fixators were included.All patients had moderate uniplanar varus deformities.We measured radiographic parameters,including the mechanical axis deviation(MAD),medial proximal tibial angle(MPTA),Caton-Deschamps Index(CDI),posterior proximal tibial angle,and joint line obliquity angle(JLOA).The accuracy of MAD correction was calculated based on a correction goal of neutral or overcorrection for medial compartment arthritis.RESULTS Demographics including age,body mass index,sex,and preoperative deformities were similar between the groups.The MAD significantly improved from 23.6 mm medial to the midline(SD=8.2 mm)to 6.9 mm lateral to the midline(SD=5.4 mm)(P<0.001).The accuracy of MAD correction did not differ between the groups and was 96.1%(SD=8.1%)in the plate group and 98.2%(SD=5.2%)in the external fixator group(P=0.18).The MPTA significantly improved from 83.9°(SD=2.9°)to 90.9°(SD=3.3°)(P<0.001),and the change was similar between the groups.Differences were noted in patella height,with a CDI change of-19.2%(SD=13.7%)and 3.1%(SD=8.0%)for the plate and external fixator groups,respectively(P<0.001).The change in JLOA was 1.6 degrees(SD=1.1 degrees)and 0.9 degrees(SD=0.9 degrees)for the plate and external fixator groups,respectively(P=0.04).CONCLUSION Reliable correction of moderate varus alignment was achieved with both the acute opening wedge technique with a plate and the gradual monolateral external fixator technique.The patellar height decreased with the open wedge plate technique.Joint line obliquity decreased to a greater degree with the open wedge plate technique,perhaps as a result of medial collateral ligament release.The appropriate technique should be selected based on surgeon and patient preferences;however,external fixation may be a better choice when the preservation of patellar height is deemed important.

Postoperative Fracture Healing Effects of Locking Compression Plate for the Treatment of Limb Fractures

Objectives To study the effects of applying locking compression plates in the treatment of patients with limb fractures on postoperative fracture healing.Methods:115 patients with limb fractures who were treated in our hospital from November 2019 to November 2020 were selected.In order to study the effective treatment method,the random-number table method was used in this study to divide the patients into two groups,namely the experimental group and the control group,and the locking compression plate treatment method and the pure plate and screw internal fixation treatment method were administered respectively to study their clinical application effects.Results:Compared with the control group,patients in the experimental group had a lower incidence of complications,shorter hospitalizations and shorter recovery time.Meanwhile,the experimental group had a better quality of recovery,and all data were significantly different from those of the control group,P<0.05,the intervention effect of the experimental group was better.Conclusion:The application of the locking compression plate in the treatment of patients with limb fractures is more conducive to promoting the postoperative healing of the patients'fractures,reducing the incidence of postoperative complications,and promoting the rapid recovery of patients,which has positive significance for clinical development.