Osteotomy and Paget's disease
Osteotomy ("bone cutting") is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a wedge of bone near a damaged joint. This shifts weight from an area where there is deformed or damaged bone to an area where there is more or healthier bone. In Paget's disease, bone tissue breakdown and rebuilding frequently occurs in the long bones—such as legs—often resulting in a bowlegged appearance. However, this procedure is not commonly used for these bones.
Osteotomy may be effective for hip and knee joints. An osteotomy is often done to correct bow legs
(varus) and knock-knee (valgus) deformities of the knees. Hip osteotomy involves removing bone from the upper thigh bone (femur
After an osteotomy, you may need to undergo physiotherapy. It may take up to one year for the joint to fully adjust to its corrected position.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Maureen Shea | Last Updated: November 8, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine | |
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