Functional Outcomes and Radiographic Analysis Following Medial Opening-wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Using Dynamic Axial External Fixator in Patients with Unicompartmental Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Longitudinal Study

dome osteotomies.It allows for better control over the degree of varus being corrected, does not require osteotomy of the fibula, and is linked IntroductIonUnicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, especially in the medial part, is a major cause of disability, particularly in younger and more active people.OA is when the cartilage in the joint wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and trouble with movement.For younger patients under 60, total knee replacement (TKR) is usually not the first choice because there are worries about the implant lasting a long time and the possibility of needing another surgery later.Instead, surgeries that help keep the joint intact while reducing pain and slowing OA are more often used.High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a common surgery that helps fix the mechanical issues in unicompartmental knee OA, especially when the knee has a varus deformity.A varus deformity puts extra stress on the medial part of the knee, making the cartilage wear out faster and worsening OA.The goal of HTO is to shift the weight from the overused medial part to the less affected lateral part of the knee, which helps reduce pain and slow down OA.There are several ways to do HTO, and medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is becoming more popular.This method has some benefits compared to others, like lateral closing wedge and 1,