This biomechanical study tested three commercially available fi xation devices for medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO). A medial opening wedge HTO model was created on replicate tibias.Fixation was achieved with one of three fi xation devices: VS Osteotomy plate (EBI, Parsippany, NJ), Arthrex Osteotomy plate (Arthrex, Naples, Fla), and OsteoTrac plate (DJ Orthopedics Inc, Vista, Calif). For each fi xation system, seven specimens were cyclically loaded in compression and torsion under physiologic loads on a servohydraulic machine.Mean axial stiffness was 2425 N/mm, 2358 N/mm and 2258 N/mm, respectively, for the EBI, Arthrex, and Alaron surgical plates. Mean torsional stiffness was 4.5 Nm/degree, 4.1 Nm/degree and 4.0 Nm/degree, respectively, for the EBI, Arthrex, and DJ Orthopedics surgical plates. Though the differences are not statistically signifi cant between the three fi xation devices (Pϭ.74 for mean axial stiffness and Pϭ.10 for mean torsional stiffness), there is insuffi cient statistical power to rule out a true difference.Using this replicate tibia model, all three fi xation devices tested appear to successfully stabilize the osteotomy site with regards to physiologic axial and torsional loads. [J Knee Surg. 2006;19:95-98.]

Heat treatment of the ears of knotted sutures markedly enhances knot security. Using coated polyester sutures commonly used in arthroscopic surgery, heat treatment of the knot ears allows secure knot construction to be achieved with a two throw granny (1 x 1) or square (1 = 1) knot. A heat source is being designed for secure knot construction in arthroscopic surgery.