The way an osteotomy is done is the surgeon cuts almost across the bone, opens a gap, fills it with bone graft and fixes the bone in place with a plate and screws.
This is called an opening wedge osteotomy.
Another option is to cut the shinbone or thighbone, then remove a wedge of bone.
An osteotomy is a surgical operation whereby a bone is cut to shorten or lengthen it or to change its alignment.
The osteotomy surgical procedure is sometimes performed to correct a hallux valgus, or to straighten a bone that has healed crookedly following a fracture.
It is also used to correct a coxa vara, genu valgum, and genu varum.
During a knee osteotomy, either your tibia (upper shinbone) or femur (lower thighbone) are cut and reshaped.
This takes pressure off the damaged side of your knee joint.
Spine: A wedge-shaped piece of bone from a section of your spine can be removed to correct a swayback or reduce a hunchback.
Some of the risks of an Osteotomy include.
Infections.
Blood clots (thrombosis)
Injuries to blood vessels and nerves during surgery.
Stiffness of the knee joint.
Failure to heal - It should be noted that a second surgery may be required if the osteotomy fails to heal properly.
It may take 3 to 6 months for osteotomy patients to walk normally and regain full range of motion.
It may be 12 months or more before patients can participate in high impact activities, such as jogging.