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Physical activity after distal femur osteotomy for the treatment of lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is the preferential treatment for the symptomatic osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee in young active patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical activity and functional outcome of a group of patients presenting with lateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee prior to and after a DFO for correction of genum valgum.

Methods

Twenty-six patients who had been submitted to complete V-shaped distal femoral osteotomy were evaluated after a mean follow-up period of 48 months by interview and questionnaire. Functional and physical activities were scored according to published rating systems.

Results

Twenty-two (84.6 %) patients were very satisfied or satisfied (mean satisfaction 2) with the outcome of surgery and 88.5 % of the patients had normal work duties after surgery without limitation or decline in performance. The preoperative median level for physical activity according to the Tegner activity level was 3(2–7), while the median postoperative level was 3 (1–7) (n.s.) 57.7 % had resumed physical activities at preoperative levels: some patients had increased the number and type of exercises. According to Lysholm score, the mean preoperative score for physical performance was 53.1 ± 16.2 while the mean postoperative score had increased to 77.3 ± 16.7 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on this study, distal femoral osteotomy allowed the resumption of physical activities for individuals with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee, resulting in improvements in clinical conditions and, consequently, in their daily working and recreational activities.

Level of evidence

Case series, Level IV.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Adriana Satuf Silva de Carvalho, Caroline Espinosa Moraes and Otávio Melo for help with the preparation of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento do Aparelho Locomotor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Lúcio Honório de Carvalho Jr.

  2. Hospital Madre Teresa, Av. Raja Gabaglia 1002, Gutierrez,Belo Horizonte, MG, 30430-142, Brazil

    Lúcio Honório de Carvalho Jr., Eduardo Frois Temponi, Luiz Fernando Machado Soares, Matheus Braga Jacques Gonçalves & Lincoln Paiva Costa

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  1. Lúcio Honório de Carvalho Jr.
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  2. Eduardo Frois Temponi
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Correspondence to Lúcio Honório de Carvalho Jr..

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de Carvalho, L.H., Temponi, E.F., Soares, L.F.M. et al. Physical activity after distal femur osteotomy for the treatment of lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 22, 1607–1611 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2316-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2316-8

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