Knee Osteotomy

A knee osteotomy is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pain and improve function in patients with early-stage osteoarthritis or damage affecting only one side of the knee joint. The procedure involves reshaping or realigning the bones of the knee to shift weight away from the damaged area and onto the healthier side.

A high tibial osteotomy is the most common type of osteotomy performed on arthritic knees. It can also be used to treat other knee problems such as gonarthrosis with abnormal knee alignment (either bow-legged or knock-kneed), osteochondritis dissecans, osteonecrosis, posterolateral instability, and for procedures involving cartilage repair.

The aim of surgery is to reduce stress on the damaged portion of the knee joint by correcting any misalignment of the tibia, thereby ensuring the joint line remains properly aligned with the leg’s mechanical axis. Two main surgical methods may be used: closing wedge and opening wedge osteotomies. The choice between these techniques depends on the specific needs of the patient.

Complications following high tibial osteotomy may include infection, skin necrosis, non-union (failure of the bones to heal), nerve injury, blood vessel injury, failure to correct the varus deformity, compartment syndrome and deep vein thrombosis or blood clots.