The principle of osteotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting a bone to realign it and shift weight-bearing stress from a damaged area of a joint to a healthier one.
Understanding Osteotomy
Osteotomy, derived from "osteo" (bone) and "tomy" (cut), is a fundamental surgical technique in orthopedics. Its primary goal is to correct bone deformities and redistribute weight across a joint surface, alleviating pain and improving function.
Core Principle: Realignment and Weight Redistribution
The core principle centers on two key elements:
- Surgical Transection: The bone is surgically cut to allow for realignment.
- Weight-Bearing Transfer: This realignment results in a transfer of weight bearing from a damaged area to an undamaged area of the joint surface.
How Osteotomy Works
- Assessment: The surgeon assesses the degree and location of bone deformity and joint damage through imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs.
- Planning: A precise surgical plan is formulated to determine the angle and extent of the bone cut needed for optimal realignment.
- Procedure: During the procedure, the bone is cut, realigned to the desired position, and then stabilized using plates, screws, or other fixation devices.
- Recovery: The bone heals in its corrected position, allowing for improved joint mechanics and reduced stress on the damaged area.
Examples of Osteotomy Applications
- Knee Osteotomy: Commonly performed to treat osteoarthritis in one compartment of the knee (usually the medial compartment). By realigning the leg, weight is shifted from the arthritic side of the knee to the healthier side.
- Hip Osteotomy: Used to correct hip dysplasia or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) by reshaping the hip socket or femur.
- Spinal Osteotomy: Performed to correct spinal deformities like scoliosis or kyphosis by realigning the vertebrae.
Benefits of Osteotomy
- Pain relief
- Improved joint function
- Delay or avoidance of joint replacement surgery (in some cases)
- Correction of bone deformities
- Enhanced quality of life
