What will my scar be like?

It is important that good visualisation of the bone is achieved at surgery, and that important anatomical structures are protected. Your incison will be determined by the ability to achieve these objectives. Incision lengths can vary from 5 to 15 centimeters.

How long will I spend in hospital?

Most patients will stay in hospital for up to 3 days following a tibial Osteotomy.

When can I return to my normal sporting activities?

Most people after an osteotomy can return to sport by nine months. This will depend on your preoperative level of activity and demands as well as the progress you make with your rehabilitation.

When can I return to work?

If you work in an office setting it is possible that you may be able to return to work between two and three weeks, however, if your occupation requires a lot of walking or heavy manual labour your return to work may be more prolonged, somewhere between six weeks and three months.

Will I need a knee replacement in the future?

A high tibial osteotomy has a good chance of delaying the need for a knee replacement in the future. Most people down the track will develop arthritis in other parts of the knee or have arthritis that progresses within the same compartment of the knee. When this occurs you may require a conversion to a total knee replacement. The chance of delaying a knee replacement by 10years is approximately 60%.

Will I need further surgery after my osteotomy?

Most people who have an osteotomy require removal of the plates, commonly between 12 and 18 months after their operation. It is safest to have the plates removed at this time so that if surgery is performed in the future, they do not interfere with the procedure. This is performed as a day operation and the recovery time is minimal.

Will I have pain after an osteotomy operation?

Most people will have pain for a few weeks after an osteotomy. This is generally well controlled with oral medication. Once the osteotomy fully heals it is expected that the majority of the arthritis pain symptoms will improve significantly as weight is carried on the healthier cartilage in the unaffected compartment.

What complications can occur from an osteotomy operation?

Please read General Information about Knee Surgery.

It is important to realise that complications can occur and are usually unpredictable. All due care is taken before, during and after the operation to try to ensure that complications do not occur. Sometimes complications may occur despite every effort being made to avoid them.

Should a complication occur you will be informed and advised on the most appropriate treatment required to optimise the outcome of the initial surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with some more detailed discussion of potential complications during the consultation prior to surgery.