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Large correction in opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with resultant joint-line obliquity induces excessive shear stress on the articular cartilage

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

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyse the resultant stress induced by joint-line obliquity after HTO for varus knee deformity using a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model analysis.

Methods

The geometrical bone data used in this study were derived from commercially available human bone digital anatomy media. The 3D knee models were developed using 3D computer-aided design software. The articular surface was overlaid with a 2-mm-thick cartilage layer for both femoral and tibial condyles. Ligament structures were simulated based on properties reported in previous anatomical studies. Regarding the loading condition, isolated axial loads of 1200 N with lateral joint-line inclinations of 2.5°, 5°, 7.5°, and 10° in reference to the horizontal axis were applied to the femur to simulate the mechanical environment in a knee with joint-line obliquity.

Results

A steep rise of shear stress in the medial compartment was noted in the model with obliquity of 5° or more. This laterally directed shear stress exhibited an incremental increase in accordance with the obliquity angle. The maximum shear stress value in the medial cartilage increased from 1.6 MPa for the normal knee to 3.3, 5.2, and 7.2 MPa in the joint-line obliquity models with 5°, 7.5°, and 10° of obliquity, respectively.

Conclusions

The effects of HTO for varus knee deformity on the amount/distribution of stresses in the articular cartilage were analysed using a 3D finite element model. It was shown that joint-line obliquity of more than 5° induced excessive shear stress in the tibial articular cartilage. A large amount of correction in OWHTO with a resultant joint-line obliquity of 5° or more may induce detrimental stress to the articular cartilage. Double-level osteotomy should be considered as a surgical option in this situation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan

    Hiroshi Nakayama, Tomoya Iseki, Ryo Kanto, Kenji Kurosaka, Shunichiro Kambara & Shinichi Yoshiya

  2. BG Trauma Center Tübingen, Schnarrenberg str. 95, Tübingen, Germany

    Steffen Schröter

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo, 671-2280, Japan

    Chie Yamamoto & Masaru Higa

Authors
  1. Hiroshi Nakayama
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  2. Steffen Schröter
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  3. Chie Yamamoto
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  4. Tomoya Iseki
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  6. Kenji Kurosaka
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  7. Shunichiro Kambara
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  8. Shinichi Yoshiya
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  9. Masaru Higa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masaru Higa.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Funding

No funding was received for this study.

Ethical approval

The design of this study was approved by the Review Board of Hyogo College of Medicine (No. 2218).

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Cite this article

Nakayama, H., Schröter, S., Yamamoto, C. et al. Large correction in opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with resultant joint-line obliquity induces excessive shear stress on the articular cartilage. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 26, 1873–1878 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-017-4680-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-017-4680-x

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