Tibial Osteotmy

Total knee replacement is an excellent procedure for older patients with knee arthritis. However, joint replacement in younger patients is not optimal as the implant may fail during the patient's lifetime and an artificial joint may not allow full function.

Where arthritis affects one side of the knee joint only, high tibial osteotomy may be appropriate in some patients. This procedure corrects the alignment of the knee, relieving the pressure on the arthritic portion of the joint. The procedure relieves pain and can allow improved function. It may delay the need for a knee replacement by 10 years or more.

A trial is underway in Oswestry to see if any additional benefit can be gained if Autologous Chondrocyte implantation is used in addition to the osteotomy. The idea is to see if ACI can replace the worn out cartilage and improve the outcome of osteotomy. Patients are randomly allocated to either have osteotomy alone or to have osteotomy plus ACI.