Deformity Correction

About Osteotomy

Lower extremity alignment is normally neutral with the mechanical axis of the limb falling through the center of the knee. This neutral alignment allows for evenly distributed physical stress on both the medial and lateral weight bearing compartments of the knee. In cases of lower extremity malalignment the mechanical axis is shifted to either the medial or lateral weight bearing compartment. This condition causes mechanical overload of the compartment and causes progressive deterioration of the joint cartilage in that area- osteoarthritis. If this condition is left uncorrected the end result will be complete loss of the articular cartilage surface with advanced degenerative arthritis and the need for a knee replacement. Symptoms of lower extremity malalignment are ‘bow legged’ (varus) or ‘knock knee’ (valgus) deformity with associated knee pain.

The Procedure

At Regional Orthopedics this condition can be surgically treated with a corrective osteotomy. This procedure involves realignment of the tibia or femur so that the mechanical axis is repositioned to the center of the knee. The end result will be correction of the deformity and equalized joint surface stresses.