Osteotomy of the knee is surgery that involves making a cut in one of the bones in your lower leg. This can be done to relieve symptoms of arthritis.
During surgery:
The procedure usually takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours to perform.
Osteotomy of the knee is done to treat symptoms of knee arthritis that no longer respond to other treatments.
Arthritis most often affects the inside part of the knee. The outside part of the knee usually isn't affected. This often occurs because the inside of the knee holds more of your weight than the outside of the knee when you walk and stand.
Knee replacement surgery may not be the best option for some people. By having an osteotomy, you and your doctor may be able to delay a knee replacement for up to 10 years, while still allowing you to stay active.
Osteotomy surgery works by shifting the weight away from the damaged part of your knee to the other side of the knee when you stand. For the surgery to be successful, the side of the knee where the weight is being shifted should have little or no arthritis.
The risks for any anesthesia or surgery are:
Other risks from this surgery include:
By having an osteotomy you may be able to delay the need for a knee replacement for up to 10 years, but still stay active.
A tibial osteotomy may make you look "knock kneed." A femoral osteotomy may make you look "bow legged."
Always tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
During the 2 weeks before your surgery:
On the day of your surgery:
Your doctor may fit you with a brace to limit how much you're able to move your knee during the recovery period. The brace may also help hold your knee in the correct position.
You will likely need to use crutches for 6 weeks or more. At first, you may be asked to not place any weight on your knee.
You will see a physical therapist to help you with an exercise program.
Complete recovery may take several months to a year.
Proximal tibial osteotomy; Lateral closing wedge osteotomy
Dabov G. Miscellaneous nontraumatic disorders. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 25.
Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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