Osteotomy Procedures

Overview

Osteotomy Procedures are advanced orthopedic surgeries performed to cut and realign bone in order to correct deformity, relieve pain, and restore joint mechanics. These procedures are commonly used to treat knee, hip, and limb alignment problems, especially in younger and active patients who are not ideal candidates for joint replacement.

By correcting alignment, osteotomy redistributes weight-bearing forces and can delay or prevent arthritis progression.

What Is an Osteotomy?

Osteotomy means “bone cutting.” During the procedure:

• The bone is carefully cut

• The alignment is corrected

• The bone is stabilized using plates, screws, or nails

It is commonly performed around:

• Knee (High Tibial Osteotomy – HTO)

• Femur

• Hip

• Tibia

• Forearm

When Is Osteotomy Recommended?

• Bow legs (Varus deformity)

• Knock knees (Valgus deformity)

• Early knee arthritis in younger patients

• Mal-union after fracture

• Limb length issues

• Joint overload due to misalignment

Early correction protects joint cartilage and improves long-term outcomes.

Types of Osteotomy

1️⃣ High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)

Used for early medial compartment knee arthritis.

2️⃣ Distal Femoral Osteotomy

Corrects valgus knee deformity.

3️⃣ Periacetabular Osteotomy

Used for hip dysplasia.

4️⃣ Corrective Osteotomy After Mal-Union

Restores proper alignment after improperly healed fractures.

Benefits of Osteotomy

✅ Preserves natural joint
✅ Delays joint replacement
✅ Corrects deformity
✅ Reduces pain
✅ Improves joint function
✅ Ideal for active younger patients

Recovery & Rehabilitation

• Partial weight bearing initially

• Bone healing monitored via X-rays

• Physiotherapy for strength and balance

• Gradual return to activity

Recovery time depends on the correction magnitude and location.