Why is this procedure done?
The knee joint is the largest joint in the body and has a number of parts. The main part of the joint is where the upper leg bone meets the bigger of the two lower leg bones. The underside of the knee cap is also part of the knee joint. Cartilage covers parts of the joint in a normal knee. This smooth tissue lets the joint move easily. The cartilage can become worn and cause bone to rub on other bone. This might happen from damage due to wear and tear over time or from an injury. This often leads to pain, stiffness, and trouble walking. Sometimes, drugs and exercises can help you control the pain. When they stop working, you may need surgery. ‚
A knee osteotomy is surgery to realign the knee joint to a healthy part of the knee where there is still cartilage. ‚
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What will the results be?
This will help lower pain and make moving the knee easier. It may delay more damage to the knee. You may be able to put off having a full or partial knee replacement after this surgery. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
Your doctor may do: ‚
- X-ray ¢ ˆ ’ Takes pictures inside your body, most often bones
- MRI scan ¢ ˆ ’ Uses magnetic waves to take pictures inside your body
- CT scan ¢ ˆ ’ Type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures inside your body
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- You may receive a nerve block before your surgery. This is a shot to help with the pain for hours after the surgery. Sometimes, a small tube is left in place. Then, the doctor can continue to give you drugs to help with pain relief.
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. Sometimes, the doctors numb you from the waist down for this kind of surgery.
- Your doctor will make a 4 to 5 inch cut over your kneecap. A wedge of bone is taken out.
- The doctor will use plates or screws to hold the bones in place. Sometimes, a bone graft is used to help the space heal.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
- The procedure may take 1 to 3 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room for a few hours. The staff will watch you closely. You will get drugs to help you with the pain.
- The staff will put ice on your knee to help with pain and swelling.
- You may start using a special exercise machine the day after surgery. It will help you move your knee slowly. This will help keep your knee from getting stiff. It will also keep the blood flowing and lower swelling.
- Within a day or two, you will get out of bed to a chair. The nursing and physical therapy staff will help you begin to walk around. They will teach you how to do coughing and deep breathing exercises to help keep your lungs clear.
- Your doctor may put a splint or cast on your leg. This will help hold your knee in the right position while healing. You may also be given crutches, a walker, and other support devices.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Sit or lie with your leg above the heart level. This will help lower swelling and pain.
- Place an ice pack wrapped in a towel or plastic bag over the painful part 4 to 6 times per day for the first couple of days. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Protect your leg from any injury. Be sure to use your crutches or walker. Do not put too much weight on your injured leg. If you have a cast, be sure to follow your doctors advice about skin care.
- Do not stand for a long period of time.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites
- When you may take a bath or shower
- When you can go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- If you need to do special exercises or therapy
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- An x-ray may be taken at the doctors office after the surgery to check on how the bones are healing.
- Continue your physical therapy as directed. This will help you get back to your daily activities such as work and school.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Stiffness of the knee joint
- Injuries to the nerves and blood vessels
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal.
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Blood is soaking through your bandages
- Pain is not helped by taking drugs
- Pain or swelling in your calf muscle
- Your toes or foot look dark in color or feel cool to the touch
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00591 ‚
The Knee Society ‚
http://www.kneesociety.org/web/patienteducation_osteo.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚