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Double-level knee osteotomy accurately corrects lower limb deformity and provides satisfactory functional outcomes in bifocal (femur and tibia) valgus malaligned knees

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Double-level knee osteotomy (DLO) is a challenging procedure that requires precision in preoperative planning and intraoperative execution to achieve the desired correction. It is indicated in cases of severe varus or valgus deformities where a single-level osteotomy would yield significantly tilted joint line obliquity (JLO). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of DLO in achieving accurate correction without compromising JLO, using patient-specific cutting guides (PSCGs), in cases of bifocal valgus maligned knees.

Methods

A single-centre, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for a total of 26 patients, who underwent DLO by PSCGs for valgus malaligned knees, between 2015 and 2020. Post-operative alignment was evaluated and the delta for different lower limb0.05, not statistically significant (ns)). All KOOS subs alignment parameters was calculated; the hip-knee-ankle angle (ΔHKA), medial proximal tibial angle (ΔMPTA), and lateral distal femoral angle (ΔLDFA). At the two-year follow-up, changes in the KOOS sub-scores, UCLA scores, lower limb discrepancy (LLD), and mean time to return to work and sport were recorded. All intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. The Mann–Whitney U test with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to evaluate the differences between two variables; one-way ANOVA between more than two variables and the paired Student's t-test was used to estimate the evolution of functional outcomes.

Results

The postoperative mean ΔHKA was 0.9 ± 0.9°, the mean ΔMPTA was 0.7 ± 0.7°, and the mean ΔLDFA was 0.7 ± 0.8° (all values with p > 0.05, not statistically significant (ns)). All KOOS subscore's mean values were improved to an extent two-fold superior to the reported minimal clinically important difference (MCID) (all with p < 0.0001). There was a significant increase in the UCLA score at the final follow-up (5.4 ± 1.5 preoperatively versus 7.7 ± 1.4, p < 0.01). The mean time to return to sport and work was 4.7 ± 1.1 and 4.3 ± 2.1 months, respectively. There was an improvement in Lower-limb discrepancy preoperative (LLD = 1.3 ± 2 cm) to postoperative measures (LLD = 0.3 ± 0.4 cm), ns. Complications were 2 femoral hinge fractures, 2 deep vein thromboses, 1 delayed tibial healing, and 1 hardware removal for hamstring irritation syndrome.

Conclusion

DLO is effective and safe in achieving accurate correction in bifocal valgus malaligned knees with maintained lower limb length and low complication rate with no compromise of JLO.

Level of evidence

III

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Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, CP, upon reasonable request.

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Funding

No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ambroise Paré Hospital, Paris Saclay University, 9, Avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92100, Boulogne-Billancourt, France

    Charles Pioger

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Institut du Mouvement de L’Appareil Locomoteur (IML), 19, Avenue Viton, 13009, Marseille, France

    Ahmed Mabrouk, Christophe Jacquet & Matthieu Ollivier

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Reims Teaching Hospital, Hôpital Maison Blanche, 45 Rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims, France

    Renaud Siboni

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Luxembourg–Clinique d’Eich, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

    Romain Seil

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  1. Charles Pioger
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  4. Christophe Jacquet
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Contributions

CP and AM have made substantial contributions to the conception, study design, acquisition/interpretation of data and in drafting the manuscript. RSi have made substantial contributions to the acquisition of data. MO was in charge of the statistical analysis. CJ, RSe and MO have been involved in drafting or revising the manuscript critically. Each author has given final approval of the version to be published and agrees to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Charles Pioger.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Institutional review board approval (CIL-APHM-2019–127) was granted for the study and all patients provided informed consent to participate.

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Pioger, C., Mabrouk, A., Siboni, R. et al. Double-level knee osteotomy accurately corrects lower limb deformity and provides satisfactory functional outcomes in bifocal (femur and tibia) valgus malaligned knees. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07325-y

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Keywords

  • Double-level osteotomy
  • Closed-wedge osteotomy
  • Patient-specific cutting guides
  • Joint line orientation