Does an orthopedic surgeon perform osteotomy?

An osteotomy involves making a planned cut in a bone and correcting its angle, position, or length. Plates, screws, or another support may hold the bone while it heals. Around the knee, a high tibial osteotomy can shift load away from a damaged area in selected patients.

The operation is chosen after considering alignment, joint condition, pain, activity goals, bone health, and imaging. It is different from replacing the joint, and recovery includes a period of protected loading followed by physiotherapy.

Ask an orthopedic surgeon to assess your alignment and the source of your symptoms. Bring standing X-rays or other reports if available. Discuss whether exercise therapy, weight management, medication, injections, or another operation may be reasonable alternatives.

If osteotomy is planned, arrange help at home and learn how to use any walking aid before surgery. Keep follow-up appointments so healing and alignment can be checked.

Seek urgent assessment for a newly deformed limb, inability to bear weight after an injury, severe uncontrolled pain, or a hot swollen joint with fever.

After surgery, contact the team for increasing wound drainage, redness, fever, worsening numbness, a cold or pale foot, or sudden calf swelling. Follow emergency instructions for chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Which bone and alignment change would the osteotomy address?

How long will I need protected weight-bearing, and what will physiotherapy involve?

How will you monitor bone healing and decide when activities can progress?