Preoperative Medial Tightness and Narrow Medial Joint Space Are Predictive Factors for Lower Extremity Alignment Change Toward Varus After Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

Background: Time-dependent changes in lower extremity alignment after an opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) have been poorly investigated. Moreover, few studies have investigated risk factors of postoperative alignment change. Purposes: To investigate time-dependent alignment changes and identify predictive factors for postoperative alignment change after OWHTO. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study included patients who underwent OWHTO between March 2010 and September 2018. A total of 142 knees with a mean follow-up of 42 months were included and classified as the change group when the amount of hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle change was >1 degrees; if otherwise, then as the no-change group. HKA angle was obtained at 6 time points: preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and final follow-up postoperatively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that were correlated with the changes in the HKA angle from 3 months to the final follow-up. Results: Among the 142 knees, 59 (42%) were included in the change group. The overall postoperative HKA angles progressed serially toward varus after OWHTO. The mean angles of the 6 time points were 8.5 degrees, -3.7 degrees, -3.6 degrees, -3.3 degrees, -3.1 degrees, and -2.7 degrees, respectively. The mean HKA angles of the change and no-change groups were 9.1 degrees, -4.3 degrees, -3.4 degrees, -2.8 degrees, -2.0 degrees, and -1.4 degrees and 8.1 degrees, -3.3 degrees, -3.8 degrees, -3.6 degrees, -3.8 degrees, and -3.7 degrees, respectively. Greater change in the HKA angle was predicted by preoperatively greater valgus stress joint line convergence angles and less medial joint space width. Conclusion: Of the cases of OWHTO, 42% showed correction loss of >1 degrees at a mean follow-up of 42 months. The overall postoperative HKA angles progressed serially to varus angles after OWHTO. Preoperative greater valgus stress joint line convergence angles and less medial joint space width were predictive factors for greater change in alignment toward varus after OWHTO.