Clinical Outcomes of Distal Femoral Osteotomy for Lateral Meniscus Injury with Valgus Knee Osteoarthritis

Fang Xuan; Zeng Yifan; Liu Changyu; Lv Zhengtao; Gao Chenghao; Wu Hua; Yang Yong

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of distal femoral osteotomy(DFO)in managing patients with lateral meniscus injury accompanied by varus knee osteoarthritis.Methods This study enrolled 15 patients who underwent DFO for lateral meniscus injury and varus knee osteoarthritis at Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,between January 2019 and February 2023.The cohort comprised 2 males and 13 females,aged 39～63 years,mean age(51.20±6.71)years.The severity of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment of the knee was graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L)system:Grade Ⅰ in 2 cases,Grade Ⅱ in 11 cases,and Grade Ⅲ in 2 cases.Surgical duration,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage,and hospital stay were documented.Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively,at 3 and 6 months postoperatively,and at the final follow-up using the pain visual analog scale(VAS),Tegner score,the hospital for special surgery(HSS)score,Lysholm score,and Kujala score.Results 15 patients were followed up for 12～18 months,with a mean of(13.67±2.13)months.Surgical duration ranged from 65 to 115 minutes,with intraoperative blood loss of 100～200 mL.Hospital stay was 5～8 days.All incisions healed primarily.By 6 months postoperatively,the femoral osteotomy site had healed.No complications such as lateral femoral cortical fractures,medial femoral plate irritation,deep vein thrombosis,vascular or nerve injuries,infections,delayed healing,non-union at the osteotomy site,joint instability,or stiffness were observed.Significant improvements in pain VAS,HSS scores,Lysholm scores,Kujala scores,and Tegner scores(at 6 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up)were noted compared to preoperative scores(P＜0.001).Conclusion DFO for lateral meniscus injury combined with varus knee osteoarthritis effectively improves lower limb alignment,alleviates lateral knee pain,and maintains good alignment correction.The osteotomy site heals well,enabling early ambulation and yielding satisfactory short-term outcomes.