Evaluation of combined high tibial osteotomy and ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of late-onset tibia vara

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of combined high tibial osteotomy in combination with gradual translation by ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of late-onset tibia vara.
Patients and methods
A total of 23 patients with a diagnosis of late-onset tibia vara, 16 (69.6%) male and seven (30.4%) female, were included in this study; in 14 (60.9%) patients the deformity was on the right side, whereas in nine (39.1%) patients the deformity was on the left side.
Results
The mean duration of external fixator application was 124.6 days, ranging from 90 to 170 days; the mean postoperative medial proximal tibial angle was 86.22°, with a value of 0.001; the mean postoperative proximal posterior tibial angle was 79.74°, with a value of 0.001; and the mean postoperative mechanical axis deviation was 10.7 mm, with a value of 0.001.
Conclusion
High tibial osteotomy in combination with gradual correction by ilizarov is safe and effective in the management of late-onset tibia vara.