High tibial osteotomy and additive manufacture can significantly reduce the climate impact of surgically treating knee osteoarthritis

This study examines the climate impact of two surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis, unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) and high tibial osteotomy (HTO), also comparing conventional manufacturing (CM) with additive manufacturing (AM) for HTO. Factors beyond the implants themselves are considered that depend on the manufacturing method, such as surgical instruments and guides (jig), sterilisation, transport and anesthesia using data obtained first hand from manufacturers and a hospital.