Early weight bearing versus delayed weight bearing in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: a randomized controlled trial

摘要

Abstract Purpose The need for a period of non-weight bearing after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy remains controversial. It is hypothesized that immediate weight bearing after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy would have no difference in functional scores at one year compared to delayed weight bearing. Methods Fifty patients, median age 54?years (range 40–65), with medial compartment osteoarthritis, underwent a medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy utilizing a locking plate without bone grafting. Patients were randomized into an Immediate or a Delayed (2?months) weight bearing group. All patients were assessed at one-year follow-up and the two groups compared. The primary outcome measure was the IKS score. Secondary outcome measures included the IKDC score, the VAS pain score and rate of complications. Results The functional scores significantly improved in both groups. The IKS score increased from 142?±?31 to 171?±?26 in the Immediate group ( p ? p ? p ? p ? Conclusion Immediate weight bearing after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy had no effect on functional scores at 1?year follow-up and did not significantly increase the complication rate. Immediate weight bearing after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy appears to be safe and can allow some patients a quicker return to activities of daily living and a decreased convalescence period. Level of evidence II.