Functional Outcome of High Tibial Osteotomy and Type-II Undenatured Collagen in Active Middle-Aged Adults in Early Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Comparative Study

TL;DR

This study compares the effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy and undenatured type-II collagen in managing early knee osteoarthritis in active middle-aged adults.

Contribution

The study introduces a comparative analysis of surgical and non-pharmacological treatments for knee osteoarthritis in a specific age group.

Findings

High tibial osteotomy effectively offloads the medial knee compartment and improves function.

Undenatured type-II collagen shows promise as a non-pharmacological alternative for knee osteoarthritis.

Both treatments may delay the need for total knee arthroplasty in early-stage patients.

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA), commonly referred to as degenerative joint disease, is characterized by the progressive degradation and loss of articular cartilage. This chronic, debilitating condition increasingly affects not only the elderly but also younger individuals. The medial compartment of the knee is more frequently involved than the lateral, often resulting in a varus deformity. Initial management typically involves conservative measures, including weight management, physiotherapy, and pharmacological therapy. Common medications include paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, concerns regarding long-term safety, particularly in patients with multiple comorbidities, have limited their prolonged use. Consequently, non-pharmacological agents such as undenatured type-II collagen have emerged as promising alternatives. When conservative management fails, surgical intervention becomes necessary. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a well-established joint-preserving procedure for medial unicompartmental knee OA. By shifting the mechanical axis toward the lateral compartment, HTO offloads the diseased medial compartment, thereby alleviating pain, improving function, and potentially delaying the need for total knee arthroplasty.

Figures