Aim: High tibial osteotomy is an accepted method for varus osteoarthritis. This study intended to compare the technique of plate osteosynthesis with the technique of staple osteosynthesis, as a less invasive procedure.
Method: 61 patients (65 knees) were included in this retrospective study evaluating the HSS score, patient's satisfaction, non weight bearing period, radiological stage of osteoarthritis, bone healing and complications after a follow up period of 5.7 (5 - 9) years. 26 patients (27 knees) were treated with plates and 37 patients (38 knees) with staples after osteotomy.
Results: Patients treated with plates showed 62.2 % excellent and good, 27.8 % moderate and poor results in the HSS score, 77.8 % were very satisfied and satisfied, 22.2 % less or not satisfied. Patients who received staple osteosynthesis showed 80.8% excellent and good, 19.2 % moderate and poor results in the HSS score and were very satisfied and satisfied in 86.9 %, less and nor satisfied in 13.1 %. The periods of non weight bearing and bone healing were slightly longer for patients treated with staples. There was no significant difference in complications.
Conclusion: The data of the present study suggest that staples as a less invasive osteosynthesis after high tibial osteotomy seem to be justified compared to plate osteosynthesis having no significant difference in clinical results.