Description
In this presentation, Al Getgood, a consulting knee surgeon from the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic in London, Ontario, discusses the role of osteotomy around the knee, particularly its implications for returning to sports. He outlines the objectives of performing osteotomies, the indications, and the expected outcomes for patients.
Getgood explains biomechanical principles, such as the effects of varus thrusts on knee alignment and the mechanics of knee adduction moments. He highlights that medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy is a common procedure aimed at correcting varus knee alignment, thereby alleviating stress on the knee joint. He provides various case studies, showcasing patients with differing knee pathologies, detailing their treatments, and the results of those interventions.
Throughout the talk, emphasis is placed on patient-specific factors like age and activity level, underscoring the goal of joint-preserving procedures for younger, active patients eager to return to sports. The findings from the Fowler Kennedy Clinic indicate high rates of return to sports following osteotomy, with many patients resuming activities at comparable or even higher levels than before surgery.
The presentation culminates with a summary of the importance of realignment osteotomies in achieving a balanced knee, adhering to patient-specific treatment goals, and the influence of existing knee pathologies on recovery outcomes. Getgood concludes by thanking the audience for their attention and the opportunity to present at the 2021 BOSTAA meeting.