Osteotomy for Knee Realignment: Joint Preserving Bone Correction
Fact Sheet: Tibial Osteotomy for Realignment of Knee Joint
- Inpatient treatment: 5 days
- Outpatient treatment: 4 weeks, then 14 days outpatient rehabilitation
- Earliest flight home: 14 days after surgery
- Recommended flightl back home: 14 days after surgery
- Time before showering: 14 days after surgery
- Recommended time off work: 2-6 weeks (depending on profession)
- Time before suture removal: 14 days
- Time before driving a car: 6 weeks
Knee realigment can prevent osteoarthritis of the knee ©Viewmedica
Tibial Osteotomy with Open Wedge
This surgical procedure is used in cases where osteoarthritis has affected only one side of the knee joint. The tibia is cut and re aligned so that pressure is shifted from the damaged side of the joint to the healthier side.
An in patient stay of two nights is normally required.
Knee Surgery: Tibial Osteotomy
Tibial osteotomy is normally performed using a general anaesthetic. First the knee area is cleaned and sterilised. Next, an incision is made on the inner side or front of the knee, to allow access to the knee joint and the tibia. The joint is then examined. In order to re align the tibia, it is cut at an angle and the two sides are separated to create a wedge-shaped opening. The opening is filled with a bone graft, which is secured using a metal plate and screws. This helps hold the wedge in place while it heals. The incision is closed with sutures, the knee bandaged and the leg placed in a splint.
Rehabilitation following Tibial Osteotomy
Following surgery a knee brace and crutches may be required for up to six weeks and a programme of physical therapy will be advised to strengthen the joint.
Prof. Dr. med. Sven Ostermeier, Consultant for Orthopaedic Knee Surgery
