What is a high tibial osteotomy?
High tibial osteotomy is a surgical procedure to realign the leg and reduce the pain you have from your knee by transferring the body weight to the preserved normal outer side of the knee. This procedure does not return the knee to normal. Instead it prolongs the life of a damaged knee, helps relieve pain in the knee and delays the need for a total knee replacement. When standing, your weight should be evenly distributed from your hip, through your knee to the centre of your ankle, to result in even contact with the ground. The diagrams below show this correct alignment (figure 1) and a malalignment (figure 2) from inner knee arthritis. Why am I having a high tibial osteotomy? You may be aware that your leg has become bowed. This will become worse as the weight is carried through the inner part of the knee and causes further damage. This may impair walking ability and result in pain in your knee even at rest. Many patients with this condition will proceed ultimately to total knee repla
