Knee Malalignment Surgical Treatment
If non-surgical treatments don’t work for knee malalignment, surgery might be the next step. Drs. Mehran and Muffly may suggest a procedure called an osteotomy to fix the alignment of the knee. Osteotomy procedures often are done with several other procedures such as meniscal transplantation or ligament reconstructions. Drs. Mehran and Muffly believe that there is nothing more important than patient outcomes. For this reason, they generally perform these complex procedures with a two-surgeon approach to cut down the time of surgery decreasing infection risks and time under anesthesia. Additionally, for osteotomies they use advanced technology that makes the plate and instrumentation specific to each patient instead of using a more generic approach of general plates and instruments. They strongly believe this technique is more minimally invasive and can lead to better results.
What is an Osteotomy?
An osteotomy is a surgery where the doctor cuts and reshapes a bone to correct its position. The aim is to fix any deformities, change how weight is distributed across the knee, and improve how the knee works. The specific type of osteotomy depends on the kind of knee malalignment you have. During the surgery, we also use a small camera called an arthroscope to check for and fix any other damage in the knee, like torn cartilage.
Here are the common types of osteotomies for knee problems:
- What It Is: This surgery involves cutting and moving the top part of the tibia (shinbone). It’s usually done for bow-legged knees (genu varum) or arthritis.
- How It Helps: It helps to shift weight away from the inside part of the knee, which can reduce pain and slow down arthritis.
- The Process: We will first use x-rays to plan exactly how to make the cut. We then get a CT scan to have patient specific instrumentation made for your body size. During the surgery, we will make a controlled cut in the tibia, move it to the correct position, fill the gap with bone chips to keep it stable, and use a plate and screws to hold it in place. After the surgery, you won’t be able to put weight on your leg for 6-8 weeks.
- What It Is: This surgery involves cutting and moving the lower part of the femur (thigh bone). It’s usually done for knock-knees (genu valgum) or arthritis.
- How It Helps: It shifts weight away from the outside part of the knee, which can reduce pain and slow down arthritis.
- The Process: Like with the high tibial osteotomy, we will use x-rays to plan the surgery. We then get a CT scan to have patient specific instrumentation made for your body size. we will make a controlled cut in the femur, reposition it, fill the gap with bone chips, and stabilize it with a plate and screws. After this surgery, you also won’t be able to put weight on your leg for 6-8 weeks.
These surgeries are designed to help improve knee function and reduce pain by correcting the alignment of your knee.
After your knee osteotomy surgery, your recovery starts right away. You’ll begin physical therapy the day after your operation to help regain your knee range of motion and to reactivate your thigh muscle. The recovery process has several stages to help you heal and prevent future injuries.
For the first 6-8 weeks, you won’t be able to put any weight on your leg. This is important so the area where the bone was cut can heal properly. Following this advice is crucial for a successful recovery.
It usually takes a minimum of 6 months to fully recover from an osteotomy. This includes physical therapy to restore movement, strengthen muscles, improve balance, and get back to normal function. Even after finishing physical therapy, it’s important to continue working on strength and mobility to see gains.
At a Glance
Meet Our Team
- Nationally Renowned Orthopedic Surgeons
- Double Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained
- Previous Medical Staff for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA and Olympics
Meet Dr. Nima Mehran
Meet Dr. Matt Muffly
