What to expect from osteotomy for knock knees

Knock knees, or genu valgum, bring the knees closer together while the lower legs angle outward. An osteotomy makes a controlled cut in a selected bone and adjusts the alignment. The correction aims to improve how force travels through the limb and may be held with a plate and screws.

Swelling, bruising, stiffness and temporary difficulty walking are expected. The final appearance is easier to judge after swelling settles. Technique and recovery vary with the location of the deformity, skeletal maturity and the condition of the knee.

Set up a chair with arms, remove trip hazards and arrange help for stairs and household tasks. Learn the prescribed walking-aid technique before discharge. Take medicines as directed, protect the wound, and attend visits where alignment and bone healing are reviewed.

Early physiotherapy may use gentle knee and ankle movement, followed by thigh strengthening and balance practice. Increase walking only as allowed. Avoid twisting, jumping and heavy loads until the surgeon confirms that the correction has healed sufficiently.

Contact the surgical team for worsening wound redness, drainage, fever, pain that is not settling, increasing calf swelling or new foot weakness. Emergency assessment is needed for sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or a cold, pale or numb foot.

Ask which bone will be corrected, how the new angle will be measured, how much weight is allowed, when exercises can progress, and which changes mean you should call urgently.