Distal femoral opening-wedge osteotomy for lateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee

We retrospectively evaluated 12 patients with lateral gonarthritis after a distal femoral lateral opening osteotomy using a Puddu-plate. Thirteen patients with lateral gonarthritis and genu valgum were operated upon. One patient died during follow-up. We used the Lysholm score and the adapted Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) clinical and functional score. At 34 months follow up, all patients had a functional and clinical evaluation. All patients responded to a questionnaire over the telephone regarding the survival, Lysholm, and functional HSS score at 74 months follow-up. The average age at operation was 52 years. The average correction angle was 11° (16° to 5°). At 34 months follow up, the functional HSS score improved from 58 to 72 points. At 74 months follow up, the Lysholm score improved from 64 to 77 points. The clinical horizon scanning system score improved from 42 points presurgery to 64 postsurgery. Two knees were converted to total knee arthroplasty due to persisting postoperative pain. Lateral supracondylar opening-wedge osteotomy is a satisfying treatment for lateral osteoarthritis of the knee with genu valgum in younger patients.