BACKGROUND: Proximal fibular osteotomy (PFO) is a surgical treatment for medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel instrument, the Threading Saw Pliers, compared to conventional techniques in performing PFO. METHODS: Between February 2021 and February 2023, 80 patients undergoing PFO for MKOA were allocated into two groups based on the chronological introduction of the tool: the Modified group (using Threading Saw Pliers, n = 40) and the Conventional group (n = 40). Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Knee Society Score (KSS), and Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS) were assessed. The follow-up span over a time line of at least 12 months. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The Modified group demonstrated a significantly shorter mean operating time (25.14 ± 8.11 vs. 55.33 ± 6.90 min, P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Threading Saw Pliers in PFO is associated with superior perioperative safety, including reduced operating time, less blood loss, and fewer complications, while achieving equivalent mid-term clinical outcomes compared to conventional techniques. The Threading Saw Plier represents a valuable technical advancement for this procedure.
Zhang et al. (2026) studied this question.