Effects of plate contouring quality on the biomechanical performance of high tibial osteotomy fixation: A parametric finite element study

Locking plates have threaded holes, in which threaded-head screws are affixed. Hence, they do not need to be in intimate contact with underlying bone to provide fixation. There are, however, reports that a large distance between the plate and the bone might cause clinical complications such as delayed union or nonunion, screw pull out, and screw and plate breakage. Considering the diversity in the capabilities and costs of different plate customization techniques, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the plate contouring quality on the biomechanical performance of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) fixation. A finite element model of proximal tibia was developed in Abaqus, using the QCT data of a cadaver. The model was then subjected to open-wedge HTO (correction angle 12°) with TomoFix plate fixation. The sagittal curvature of the plate was changed parametrically to provide certain levels of geometrical fit, and the biomechanical performance parameters of fixation were assessed. Results indicated 5%, 9% and 38% increase in the stiffness of the construct, and the von Mises stress in the plate and locking screw just above the osteotomy site, respectively, when the level of fit of plate changed from 0% (initial non-contoured initial shape) to 100% (fully adapted shape). The same change decreased the pressure at the lateral hinge of the osteotomy by 61%, and the mean of the tensile stress on the screw shaft by 12%. It was concluded that the level of fit has conflicting effects on the biomechanical parameters of the HTO fixation system, that is, the structural stiffness, the pressure at the lateral hinge, the stresses in the plate and screws, and the pull out resistance of the screws. In particular, for HTO patients with high quality bone, the optimal level of fit should provide a tradeoff between these parameters.

Restoration of Native Leg Length After Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: An Intraindividual Analysis

Background: Opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) has been shown to significantly increase leg length, especially in patients with large varus deformity. Thus, the current literature recommends closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy to correct malalignment in these patients to prevent postoperative leg length discrepancy. However, potential preoperative leg length discrepancy has not been considered yet. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that patients have a decreased preoperative length of the involved leg compared with the contralateral side and that OWHTO would subsequently restore native leg length. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Included were 67 patients who underwent OWHTO for unilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and who received full leg length assessment pre- and postoperatively. Patients with varus or valgus deformity (>3°) of the contralateral side were excluded. A musculoskeletal radiologist assessed imaging for the mechanical axis, full leg length, and tibial length of the involved and contralateral lower extremity. Statistical analysis determined the pre- and postoperative leg length discrepancy and the influence of the mechanical axis. Results: Most patients (62.7%) had a decreased length of the involved leg, with a mean preoperative mechanical axis of 5.0° ± 2.9°. Length discrepancy averaged –2.2 ± 5.8 mm, indicating a shortened involved extremity ( P = .003). OWHTO significantly increased the mean lengths of the tibia and lower limb by 3.6 ± 2.9 and 4.4 ± 4.7 mm ( P < .001), leading to a postoperative tibial and full leg length discrepancy of 2.8 ± 4.3 mm and 2.2 ± 7.3 mm ( P < .001 and P = .017, respectively). Preoperative leg length discrepancy was significantly correlated with the preoperative mechanical axis of the involved limb ( r = 0.292; P = .016), and the amount of correction was significantly associated with leg lengthening after OWHTO ( r = 0.319; P = .009). Patients with a varus deformity of ≥6.5° (n = 14) had a preoperative length discrepancy of –4.5 ± 1.6 mm ( P < .001) that was reduced to 1.8 ± 3.5 mm ( P = .08). Conclusion: Patients undergoing OWHTO have a preoperative leg length discrepancy that is directly associated with the varus deformity of the involved extremity. As OWHTO significantly increases leg length, restoration of native leg length can be achieved particularly in patients with large varus deformity.

The Validity and Accuracy of 3D-printed Patient-specific Instruments for High Tibial Osteotomy: A Cadaveric Study

Objective High tibial osteotomy (HTO) has been used for the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, the successful implementation of HTO requires precise intraoperative positioning, which places greater requirements on the surgeon. In this study, we aimed to design a new kind of 3D-printed patient-specific instrument (PSI) for HTO, including a positioning device and an angle bracing spacer, and verify its effectiveness using cadaveric specimens.Methods This study included ten fresh human lower limb cadaveric specimens. Computed Tomography(CT) and X-ray examinations were performed to make preoperative plans. PSI was designed and 3D-printed according to the preoperative plan. Then, the PSI was used to guide HTO. Finally, we performed X-ray and CT after the operation to verify its validity and accuracy.Results The PSI use process was adjusted according to the pre-experimental procedure in 1 case. Hinge fracture occurred in 1 case. According to X-rays of the remaining 8 cadaveric specimens, no statistically significant difference was noted between the preoperative planning medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and postoperative MPTA (P > 0.05) or the preoperative and postoperative posterior slope angle (PSA) (P > 0.05). According to the CT of 10 cadaveric specimens, no statistically significant difference was noted between the design angle and actual angle, which was measured according to the angle between the osteotomized line and the cross-section (P > 0.05). The gap between the designed osteotomy line and the actual osteotomy line was 2.09(0.8~3.44) mm in the coronal plane and 1.58(0.7~2.85) mm in the sagittal plane.Conclusion This 3D-printed PSI of HTO accurately achieves the angle and position of the preoperative plan without increasing the stripping area. However, its use still requires a certain degree of proficiency to avoid complications, such as hinge fracture.

Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy with Combined Use of Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Plates and Taylor Spatial Frame for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Background. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is used to treat medial degeneration of the osteoarthritis (OA) knee. However, shortcomings still exist in the current procedure, like unprecise creation, inability to correct knee rotation, and internal fixed failure. Here, we reported a novel procedure: patient-specific 3D-printed plates for opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) combined with Taylor spatial frame (TSF). The detailed technique was described, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated. Methods. We prospectively evaluate outcomes of patient-specific 3D-printed plates for OWHTO with use of TSF in 25 patients with knee OA and varus alignment. Postoperative efficacy was evaluated using the HSS knee score, pain visual simulation score (VAS), and knee joint motion (ROM), and lower limb alignment was evaluated by measuring femorotibial angle (FTA) and hip-knee-ankle (HKA). Results and Conclusion. All patients did not experience complications such as wound infection, nerve damage, or bone amputation. 25 patients were followed up for 6–18 months. The bony union at bone amputation was achieved in 3 months after surgery, and the pain symptoms were significantly alleviated or disappeared. The VAS score was significantly reduced in 6 months after surgery compared with preoperative; the HSSS score was significantly added in 6 months after surgery compared with preoperative. The ROM of knee joint increased significantly 6 months after operation compared with that before operation, and the difference was statically significant ( P < 0.05 ). The FTA and HKA after operation were significantly superior to that before operation, and the difference was statically significant ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions. Our study showed that patient-specific 3D-printed plates for HTO with the use of TSF have the advantages of small trauma, few complications, simple operation, and fast recovery in treating knee OA and varus alignment.