Correction accuracy and collateral laxity in open versus closed wedge high tibial osteotomy. A one-year randomised controlled study

50 active patients, between 18 and 70 years of age, with medial symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee scheduled for high tibial osteotomy were randomized to the procedure by either a closed or open wedge method. At 1 year follow up, both open wedge osteotomy (OWO) and closed wedge osteotomy (CWO) led to accurate and sustained corrections; however, the OWO was superior in correcting the medial collateral ligament laxity and patellar height, with a shorter operating time and fewer surgical complications.