High Tibial Osteotomy Effects on Subtalar Joint in Patients with Genu Varum

Abstract

Background: osteotomy around the knee is one of the most common corrective surgeries for lower limb deformities. The exact relationship between the effects of these surgeries on the ankle joint is unclear.This study aimed to investigate the effect of HTO on the subtalar joint in patients with genu varum. Methods: In the case series study33 patients including 27.2% men and 72.7% womenwith an average age of 41.9, with genu varum who underwent corrective surgery of open wedge high tibial osteotomy were studied. the heel alignment angle was determined before and after surgery in 10-months follow-up based on Saltzman view in conventional radiography. The data were then compared. Results: Average genu varum correction angle was 11.9±1.3°. Heel alignment degree was 5.9±1.3° before HTO surgery, and after the surgery,in final follow-up,it was to 3.4±1.2° valgus, this value was statisticallysignificant(p=0.04). Moreover, there was a significant statistical relationship between average correction of Varus deformity and heel alignment anglechanges (P=0.02, r=0.3). Conclusion: Correcting Varus knee deformity can be effectiveon heel alignment angle in patients undergoing HTO surgery with genu varum. The angle of the subtalar valgus decreases as a result. Level of evidence: III