Realignment Surgery
High Tibial Osteotomy & Distal Femoral Osteotomy
Realignment surgery (HTO and DFO) shifts load away from the worn or damaged compartment of the knee — relieving pain, protecting cartilage and delaying the need for joint replacement.
Indications
- One sided knee pain
- Protect cartilage and cartilage surgery
- Correct mal alignment of leg to reduce symptoms (reduce pain, help treat patella dislocations)
Recovery
Surgery and Rehab for Osteotomies
One or two nights in hospital is expected with an osteotomy. I would often perform a knee arthroscopy at the same time to ensure the non-affected side of your knee is still suitable for the osteotomy and to be able to sort out any meniscal or cartilage issues.
0 – 6 weeks
Early recovery
Physiotherapy will be provided and you will need crutches and movement advice. You will be either partially or fully weight bearing from day 1 after surgery. Clinic appointment at 6 weeks with a new X-ray to check the correction.
6 weeks – 3 months
Progression
Increase weight bearing to full, if not already. Re-X-ray the osteotomy site to ensure healing.
6 months
Healing review
Review you in clinic with a further X-ray to ensure fully healed.
18 months
Plate removal
Remove the plate.
Informed consent
Benefits and Risks of Osteotomies
Understanding the potential benefits and risks helps you make an informed decision about your treatment. Mr Rehmatullah will discuss these in detail at your consultation.
Benefits
- •Reduce pain
- •Slow down arthritis progression
- •Allow you to remain active for longer
Risks
- •Infection
- •Bleeding
- •Nerve damage (numbness over front and inside of your leg)
- •Blood clot in leg and lungs
- •Non union
- •Delayed union
- •Mal union
- •Further surgery
- •Fracture
- •Scars