Introduction: The results of high tibial osteotomy tend to deteriorate over time. Consequently, a certain percentage of these patients will ultimately undergo TKR for the symptomatic treatment of the osteoarthritis of their knees. High tibial osteotomy, on the other hand, produces anatomic alterations around ipsilateral knee joint, that might bring about technical difficulties during the performance of TKR procedure. One of these difficulties has to do with the alteration of relationship between tibial anatomic axis and ipsilateral plateau.

Aim: The radiographic evaluation of the alteration of the relative position of the tibial medullary canal with respect to the ipsilateral plateau, after high tibial, closed-wedge osteotomy, with stable fixation.

Material – Method: For this aim, we studied 49 knees (in 45 patients), that had undergone high tibial valgus osteotomy, between 1990 and 1997, in our Department. The relative change of tibial anatomic axis was determined by calculating the index of “tibial condylar offset” in the AP view of each knee during three follow up examinations done at the direct post operative period, three months post operatively and at least one year post operatively.

Results: There was a definite tendency of medialization of the tibial anatomic axis post operatively (and, consequently, of the tibial medullary canal) with respect to the centre of the ipsilateral plateau. This was in direct proportion to the degree of valgus correction. The mean percentage of post operative alteration of “tibial condylar offset”, in comparison to its preoperative value, was 19%.

Conclusions: The insertion of a stemmed tibial implant, in a knee that has previously undergone high tibial osteotomy, through the centre of the tibial plateau runs a certain risk of abutment on the lateral cortex, due to the medialization of the tibial medullary canal with respect to the centre of tibial plateau. The above observations show the importance of a thorough pre-op plan of every TKR procedure that has been preceded by high tibial osteotomy

Introduction: Modern nailing techniques are the gold standard in the treatment of multifragmentary fractures of femur. Nevertheless, the use of plate and screws, in accordance with the principles of biologic fixation, remains an effective alternative.

Aim: The purpose of this retrospective study is the evaluation of the results of biologic fixation, with plate and screws, of multifragmentary femoral fractures.

Material – Methods: Our material consists of 32 multifragmentary subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures that were treated in our department, between 1992 and 2000, in accordance with the principles of biologic fixation with plates and screws. All fractures were reduced indirectly with traction on the fracture table without any direct manipulation at the comminution zone. Emphasis was given to the restoration of the proper length, axial and rotational alignment of each fracture. The exposure of the femur was done proximally and distally to the fracture site through two separate incisions of the vastus lateralis near its insertion to the linea aspera. There was no direct exposure of the comminution zone. The fixation was done with a long bridge plate, without the use of interfragmentary screws. No iliac bone graft was used in the primary procedures.

Results: Twenty nine of the fractures (91%) united, without serious complications, within 3–5 months. One fracture failed to unite and had to be operated upon with a new plate and screws and additional bone grafting. In another one, the plate was bent, due to early weight bearing, and had to be exchanged with a nail. The third fracture united in a mild varus position, as some of the screws were broken and the plate was mildly bent.

Conclusions: The bio-“logic” use of plate and screws in the treatment of multifragmentary fractures of femur gives excellent results, comparable with those of the modern nailing techniques.

Purpose: The aim of this study is the evaluation of the use of plate and screws without restoration of the opposite cortex and without the use of bone graft in the treatment of multifragmentary fractures of femur.

Material and Methods: For this purpose, we retrospectively studied 26 multifragmentary femoral fractures that were treated in our department in accordance with the above principles, between 1992 and 2001. All fractures were reduced indirectly with traction on the fracture table without any direct manipulation at the comminution zone. Emphasis was given to the restoration of the proper length, axial and rotational alignment of each fracture. The fixation was done with a long bridge plate, without the use of interfragmentary screws.

Twenty five of the fractures (96.5%) united, without any serious complication, within 3–5 months. In one fracture the fixation failed and had to be revised.

Conclusions: The use of plate and screws in the treatment of multifragmentary fractures of femur, once it is done with complete respect to the fracture biology leads to speedy fracture union, high union rate and a very low complication rate.