Written by: Mr Raj Thakrar
Knee osteotomy is a joint-preserving surgical procedure designed to relieve pain, improve function, and delay or avoid the need for knee replacement surgery. It is particularly well suited to active patients who wish to remain physically active and protect their natural knee joint for as long as possible.
A knee osteotomy involves carefully reshaping the bones around the knee to redistribute weight away from the damaged or worn area of the joint. By correcting alignment, pressure is reduced on the arthritic or injured compartment of the knee, allowing healthier cartilage to take on more of the load.
Most commonly, osteotomy is performed for:
Bow-legged (varus) alignment affecting the inner (medial) knee
Knock-kneed (valgus) alignment affecting the outer (lateral) knee
Knee osteotomy may be appropriate if you:
Have pain on one side of the knee
Have early or moderate arthritis limited to one compartment
Are physically active and wish to remain so
Are too young or unsuitable for knee replacement
Have knee pain following sports injuries, meniscal damage, or ligament problems
Want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery
It is commonly considered in patients aged 30–60, but suitability is based on activity level, knee condition, and goals rather than age alone.
Preserves your natural knee joint
Reduces pain and improves function
Allows a return to sports and active lifestyles
Can delay knee replacement by many years
Maintains more normal knee movement compared to joint replacement
Knee osteotomy is a planned, precise procedure, using modern imaging and surgical techniques. The bone is carefully adjusted and stabilised with a plate and screws to allow safe healing.
Where appropriate, osteotomy can be combined with:
Meniscal repair or transplantation
Cartilage repair procedures
Ligament reconstruction
This combined approach addresses both alignment and underlying joint damage in one operation.
Hospital stay is usually 1–2 nights
Weight-bearing is progressed gradually with physiotherapy
Most patients return to work within 6–12 weeks (depending on job demands)
Return to sport typically occurs between 6–12 months
A structured rehabilitation programme is essential to achieve the best outcome.
Not all knee pain requires surgery. A thorough assessment, including X-rays and often MRI scanning, is essential to determine whether osteotomy is the right option.
If you are experiencing ongoing knee pain and wish to explore joint-preserving solutions, a consultation can help determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
Spread the cost of your treatment with fixed, monthly payments over a time period to suit you.
Find out more
We offer an alternative range of ways to pay, so you can choose which one best suits you and your finances.
Find out more
Use your private medical insurance to fund your treatment through our simple referral process.
Find out more
Last Friday, Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East visited Tees Valley Hospital in Acklam to meet with staff, patients and doctors, and to learn more about the healthcare services provided to the local community by the hospital.
Clifton Park Hospital, in York, Part of Ramsay Health Care UK, has been rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We spoke with Consultant Knee Surgeon Mr Chris Lodge – from a farming background himself – on why knee injuries are so common in agriculture and how they can be treated effectively.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material, contained on this website is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
No warranty or guarantee is made that the information contained on this website is complete or accurate in every respect. The testimonials, statements, and opinions presented on our website are applicable to the individuals depicted. Results will vary and may not be representative of the experience of others. Prior patient results are only provided as examples of what may be achievable. Individual results will vary and no guarantee is stated or implied by any photo use or any statement on this website.
Ramsay is a trusted provider of plastic or reconstructive surgery treatments as a part of our wrap-around holistic patient care. Our personal, friendly and professional team are here to support you throughout to ensure the best possible care. All procedures we perform are clinically justified.
*Acceptance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct authority under FRN 702886. Ramsay Healthcare UK Operations is acting as a credit broker to Chrysalis Finance Limited.
Ramsay Health Care UK is not currently recruiting for any roles based outside of England. If you are interested in applying for a role with Ramsay Health Care UK, please note that all available positions are advertised exclusively on our official website: https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/careers. Be cautious of individuals or organisations that approach you directly for remotely-based roles. Always verify the authenticity of the job offer and be careful with whom you share your personal information. For more information and advice on employment fraud, please visit: https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/careers/recruitment-fraud