A study of functional outcome of proximal fibular osteotomy in medial compartmental osteoarthritis of knee

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of proximal fibular osteotomy (PFO) to produce symptomatic relief from pain and improvement of medial joint space and function in patient with medial compartmental osteoarthritis of knee. Materials and Methods: A prospective study from October 2019 to October 2021 at Rajah Muthiah Medical College, in 15 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of knee (Kellgren and Lawrence score 2 or more) who surgically managed with proximal fibular osteotomy were used in this study. Preoperative and Postoperative weight bearing x-rays were obtained, to measure tibiofemoral angle, medial and lateral joint space of knee and to analyse the alignment of lower extremity. Pain relief measured using visual analogue scale and functional recovery assessed by using oxford knee score preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: PFO provides short term relieving from knee pain and improvement in walking postoperatively in almost all patients. Postoperative weight bearing radiographs showed increase in medial joint space and obvious correction of alignment of lower extremity. Conclusion: PFO is technically easy and simple procedure in treating unicompartmental osteoarthritis of knee, provides significant pain relief and functional restoration of joint. PFO can emerge as an alternative for younger patients with medial compartmental arthritis and patients unable to undergo TKR due to comorbidities. This surgery delay the need for a TKR, even may obviate it. Care should be taken to avoid common peroneal nerve injury.