Knee pain can significantly affect your quality of life, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks or enjoy activities. For people suffering from knee arthritis or misalignment, knee osteotomy is a surgery that may offer relief, allowing you to move more freely and avoid a full knee replacement.

What is Knee Osteotomy?

Knee osteotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat knee arthritis or misalignments, where the bones of the knee are realigned to help distribute the weight more evenly across the joint. The goal is to reduce pain, improve movement, and help the knee function better. This procedure is often recommended for people who are not yet ready for knee replacement surgery, especially if the arthritis or damage affects only part of the knee joint.

In knee osteotomy, the surgeon makes cuts in the bones and realigns them to shift the pressure away from the damaged area of the knee to a healthier part. This can relieve pain and help improve your knee’s overall function, allowing you to resume normal activities and delay or even avoid a total knee replacement.

Who is a Good Candidate for Knee Osteotomy?

Knee osteotomy is usually recommended for people who have:

• Knee arthritis that affects only one side of the knee, commonly the inner or outer part.
• Knee misalignment, such as being bow-legged (varus deformity) or knock-kneed (valgus deformity), which causes uneven wear and pain.
• Are under the age of 60, as younger patients tend to be more active and may want to avoid knee replacement surgery as long as possible.

Knee osteotomy is especially effective for people who have mild to moderate knee arthritis and want to continue being active without resorting to a knee replacement. If you have more severe arthritis or a large amount of damage to your knee, your doctor may recommend other treatments.

Types of Knee Osteotomy

There are two main types of knee osteotomy:

1. High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO): This is the most common type of osteotomy and is often used for patients who have arthritis in the inner part of their knee. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a cut in the tibia (shin bone) and shifts it to redistribute the weight to the healthier side of the knee. This can significantly reduce pain and improve knee function.
2. Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO): This type of osteotomy is performed on the femur (thigh bone) and is used for people who have arthritis in the outer part of the knee. The femur is cut and realigned to relieve pressure from the damaged area.

How is the Surgery Performed?

Knee osteotomy is usually performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be asleep during the surgery. The surgeon will make small incisions around the knee to access the bone. Using specialized tools, the surgeon will cut and reposition the bones, then secure them in place with plates or screws. The surgery may take a couple of hours, depending on the complexity.

After the surgery, most people are able to go home the same day or the next day, though you may need to use crutches for a period of time to help you move around without putting weight on your knee.

What are the Benefits of Knee Osteotomy?

Knee osteotomy offers many benefits, especially for people who are not yet candidates for a total knee replacement. Some of the benefits include:

• Pain Relief: One of the primary reasons people choose knee osteotomy is to relieve pain caused by arthritis or misalignment. By redistributing the weight, the surgery can help alleviate pressure on the damaged part of the knee.
• Improved Mobility: Knee osteotomy can help restore mobility, allowing you to walk, climb stairs, and participate in activities that may have been difficult before.
• Delaying or Avoiding Knee Replacement: Knee osteotomy can delay or even prevent the need for a total knee replacement. For younger, active individuals, this can be a significant benefit, as it allows them to maintain more of their natural knee joint.
• Preservation of the Knee Joint: Unlike a knee replacement, which involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial one, knee osteotomy preserves the natural knee structure. This can be a good option for people who want to avoid the limitations of a prosthetic knee.
• Safe and Effective: Knee osteotomy is generally considered a safe procedure with a relatively low risk of complications, especially when performed on the right candidate.

What Are the Risks of Knee Osteotomy?

Like any surgery, knee osteotomy does carry some risks. These can include:

• Infection: Though rare, infections can develop at the surgical site. To reduce the risk, your doctor will provide instructions on how to care for the incision site after surgery.
• Delayed Healing: The bones may not heal as expected, or healing may take longer than anticipated. If this happens, additional treatment or even surgery may be needed.
• Blood Clots: As with any surgery, there is a risk of developing blood clots. Your doctor may recommend blood thinners or other precautions to prevent this from happening.
• Misalignment: In some cases, the bones may not be realigned correctly, which can lead to continued pain or further surgery.
• Ongoing Pain: Some patients may continue to experience knee pain even after the procedure, particularly if the osteotomy did not fully address the underlying problem.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

After knee osteotomy, recovery will vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the surgery. However, there are general stages of recovery to expect:

• Initial Recovery: For the first few days after surgery, you will need to rest and avoid putting weight on your knee. Ice and elevation can help reduce swelling, and your doctor will provide pain medications to manage discomfort.
• Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process. Physical therapy will help restore strength, mobility, and function to the knee. Your therapist will guide you through exercises designed to improve your knee’s range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the joint.
• Gradual Weight-Bearing: Depending on your surgeon’s recommendations, you will gradually begin to put more weight on your knee as it heals. This process is usually monitored with follow-up visits and X-rays to ensure the bone is healing properly.
• Long-Term Recovery: It can take several months for the knee to fully heal, and during this time, you may continue physical therapy to maximize function. Most people are able to resume normal activities within 3 to 6 months, though high-impact activities may need to be avoided initially.

Conclusion

Knee osteotomy is an effective treatment option for people with knee arthritis or misalignment who are looking to reduce pain and improve mobility. It is especially useful for younger individuals who want to preserve their natural knee joint and delay the need for knee replacement surgery. If you’re suffering from knee pain and think knee osteotomy may be right for you, talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options and what to expect.

Ready to regain pain-free movement and enhance your quality of life? Schedule a consultation today to find out if knee osteotomy is the right choice for you!