What is osteotomy done with?

The surgeon makes a planned cut in a bone, changes its angle or position, and stabilises the new alignment. A plate sits along the bone and screws pass through it to hold the segments together. The exact method depends on the bone, the joint alignment, the size and direction of correction, and whether a gap needs support with bone material. Osteotomy may be used around the knee or another joint to shift load away from a painful or damaged area. The fixation is selected to maintain alignment while healing progresses.

Discuss smoking, diabetes, bone health, allergies, and medicines that affect bleeding or healing before surgery. Arrange help at home and learn whether you will need crutches or restricted weight-bearing. Keep the wound clean, take medicines exactly as prescribed, and attend follow-up visits so alignment and bone healing can be checked. Do not increase walking or exercise until your surgical team confirms that the bone can safely take more load.

Seek prompt advice for increasing wound redness, drainage, fever, calf swelling, or pain that is not controlled by the prescribed plan. Get urgent help for sudden chest pain or breathlessness, a cold or pale foot, new inability to move the limb, or rapidly increasing numbness.

Ask where the bone will be cut, how the correction will be held, how much weight you may place through the limb, what healing checks are planned, and whether the plate and screws are expected to remain.