Survival and Risk Factor Analysis of Medial Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy for Unicompartment Knee Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the survival rates and analyze the factors that affect survival rate after primary treatment with medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) for medial unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Clinical evaluation using Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score and radiographic evaluation, including mechanical axis, were done before and after surgery. The main failure criteria for survival included the conversion to total knee arthroplasty or KSS of .05). Using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, the probability of survival for MOWHTO was 96.8% at 5 years, 87.1% at 10 years, and 85.3% at 13 years. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that age ≥65 years (hazard ratio HR = 2.34, P = .046), medial compartment cartilage damage International Cartilage Repair Society grade ≥4 (HR = 2.46, I = .045), lateral compartment cartilage damage International Cartilage Repair Society grade≥2 (HR = 3.38, P = .006), postoperative HKA angle <0° (HR = 4.69, P < .001) were associated with failure. CONCLUSION: MOWHTO seems to be a good treatment option for young and active patients with medial knee osteoarthrosis and varus alignment, with acceptable survival rates and satisfactory outcomes. Age ≥65 years, grade 4 cartilage damage in medial compartment, grade ≥2 cartilage damage in lateral compartment, and undercorrection of HKA angle appear to be significant risk factors associated with failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: retrospective case series.