Gait analysis following medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy

Purpose High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is used to treat young and active patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and varus deformity. The medial compartment OA alters the patients’ gait. Methods A prospective study was carried out in 21 consecutive patients operated for HTO due to knee OA with varus deformity. There were 14 men and 7 women, with a median age of 51.9 years (38–64). Their gait was analyzed preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively, and compared to a healthy control group. Clinical assessment (KOOS, WOMAC, Lysholm, and SF-36 scores) was also performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results Patients with medial compartment OA had altered gait relative to the control population. Their walking speed was slower, step length was shorter, and single-leg stance time was shorter, while the double-leg stance time was longer ( P