Functional outcome after high tibial osteotomy: A study using individual goal achievement as the primary outcome variable

Abstract—Functional outcome after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) was evaluated with respect to both improvement and goal achievement. Fifty-seven subjects, 32 men and 25 women, with a mean age of 55 years were examined with the Functional Assessment System (FAS) 6 and 12 months after surgery. The FAS is an evaluation system, specifically designed to monitor lower extremity dysfunction. It shows a profile with preopera-tive status, individual goal, and postoperative status. Statistically significant improvement was seen in 6/20 variables after 6 months, and in 10/20 variables after 12 months. When goal achievement was examined, the results were not as impres-sive. The treatment goal was not reached on the group level for almost all variables. On the individual level, only 20\N40 % of the patients achieved the goal as a result of surgery in most vari-ables. Exceptions were pain and leisure time/hobbies, where there was a high degree of goal achievement. It is possible that postoperative training was inadequate. The authors recommend a new randomized study, where patients who receive specific individual training related to the individual goal and functional profile are compared with a control group. Key words: goal achievement, osteoarthritis, outcome, reha-bilitation, tibial osteotomy. Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Ulrika Oberg