Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of combined high tibial osteotomy in combination with gradual translation by ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of late-onset tibia vara.
Patients and methods
A total of 23 patients with a diagnosis of late-onset tibia vara, 16 (69.6%) male and seven (30.4%) female, were included in this study; in 14 (60.9%) patients the deformity was on the right side, whereas in nine (39.1%) patients the deformity was on the left side.
Results
The mean duration of external fixator application was 124.6 days, ranging from 90 to 170 days; the mean postoperative medial proximal tibial angle was 86.22°, with a value of 0.001; the mean postoperative proximal posterior tibial angle was 79.74°, with a value of 0.001; and the mean postoperative mechanical axis deviation was 10.7 mm, with a value of 0.001.
Conclusion
High tibial osteotomy in combination with gradual correction by ilizarov is safe and effective in the management of late-onset tibia vara.