External fixation in proximal tibial osteotomy: a comparison of three methods

During a period of 6 years (1990-1996), 154 patients with unilateral gonart hrosis underwent proximal tibial osteotomy using 3 different methods of ext ernal fixation: (1) closing wedge osteotomy and bilateral fixation; (2) clo sing wedge osteotomy with unilateral fixation, and (3) opening wedge osteot omy with unilateral fixation. The most common complications were pin-tract infection (25%), temporary nerve palsy (10%), and loss of alignment (17%). At least one complication developed in 33% of patients in this study, indic ating that the use and technique of external fixation in proximal tibial os teotomy can be problematic.