Osteotomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove or correct any deformity of the bone by either cutting it short or lengthening it or changing its alignment to remove the deformity. It is also done to straighten a bone that heals in a crooked manner following a fracture.

Deformities of joints and bones are extremely painful, and disrupt normal life, taking away the freedom to move and live life to the fullest. In such a case, Osteotomy acts as a very easy way out as it relieves the patients of this pain and discomfort and brings them back to leading a normal life. These surgeries are very common in India and are done by extremely talented and experienced doctors at some of the finest hospitals in India. People from all around the world are slowly throbbing in India to get these surgeries done. Also, the cost involved in the surgery is quite affordable in India for the medical services that are provided here.

What Is Osteotomy?

To help repair the deformities of the bone or joint caused due to various reasons such as trauma, accident, or arthritis, the surgery hence performed, is known as Osteotomy. This surgery is not age-restricted, or age bound. It is also performed on relatively younger people who undergo this surgery to postpone hip and knee replacement surgery for many years.

It is a complex surgery depending upon the severity of the deformity and the joints or bones involved. It doesn’t necessarily require a hospital; it can also be done in any medical center that offers to provide this type of procedure. There is an option available for the anesthesia to be given. It can be done under general anesthesia, wherein the patient will be asleep if the surgery is to be done in the lower half of the body, a spinal tap can also be given so that the lower half of the body becomes numb. The surgery can be performed while the patient is still awake.

Types Of Osteotomy:

Depending upon which part of the body the surgery is to be performed upon, there are several types of Osteotomy.

Knee Osteotomy – this type of Osteotomy is performed for realigning the knee joint to shift the load-bearing function of the knee from the damaged part of the knee to the healthy part. It prevents the arthritic surfaces from rubbing against each other. It is usually performed when in the early stages of Osteoarthritis.

Hip Osteotomy – This type of surgery is performed to adjust the ball and socket of the hip bone. The bones of the joints are cut and realigned to shift the load-bearing surfaces of the joint.

Spine Osteotomy – This procedure is performed to correct a postural deformity of the spine. To correct a swayback or a hunchback, a wedge-shaped bone is cut or removed from a specified location in the spine.

Jaw Osteotomy – This surgery is performed on the lower jaw (mandible) or the upper jaw (maxilla) in order to realign them to treat various complications such as maxillary prognathism, mandibular prognathism, and difficulty in chewing or swallowing, and open bites.

Big Toe – Here, a segment of the big toe is remover or specifically cut to avoid jamming with the other toes.

Chin – It is done to correct a short chin.

Elbow Osteotomy – This type of Osteotomy is usually performed on a shorter chain to extend its vertical length.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Osteotomy

The major goal of Osteotomy surgery is to shift the weight-bearing surface of the joint from a damaged part to a relatively healthier part to increase its life. It corrects the knee alignment to completely avoid or delay the need for a complete or partial replacement.

The major advantages can be seen in the knee osteotomy wherein the correct alignment can prevent and delay a knee replacement. Other advantages include no restriction on physical activities after the procedure and enable one to perform their favorite activities, even high impact once without any difficulty.

The disadvantage of the procedure involves the non-predictability of the pain relief as compared to the total or partial knee replacement procedure. Recovery after the procedure may also take longer as you may not be able to put the load on the operated knee right away. In certain cases, a knee replacement surgery done after an osteotomy makes it more complicated. This is a reason why Osteotomy of the knees is not very common, yet it remains a viable option for many patients.