What is joint preservation and realignment surgery?
Joint preservation and realignment surgery encompasses a range of procedures which offer alternatives to joint replacement, such as limb realignment using high tribal osteotomy and cartilage regeneration.
Realignment allows patients to keep their own knee joint, by off-loading a worn out or arthritic part of the joint with the correction of the misaligned leg, relieving pressure on the worn out section of the knee; ultimately leading to a pain-free joint.
Joint preservation can also be achieved with techniques such as cartilage regeneration, which relies on the stimulation of marrow, creating the ideal condition for healing.
What can I expect from the procedure?
You will discuss the specific type of procedure to be undertaken with your surgeon, prior to entering the operating room. You will also meet the anaesthetist and discuss the best-suited form of anaesthesia for your procedure and your individual needs.
Two small incisions are made by the surgeon, one of which allows a camera to be passed through in order to survey damage in the knee. An incision above the tibia exposes the bone to make the osteotomy, realigning the leg and allowing weight to be transferred to the healthier side of the knee joint. Measurements are then made to confirm the accuracy of the correction.
The procedure usually takes between one and two hours.
Why might I need joint preservation and realignment surgery?
Typically, those who undergo procedures for joint preservation and realignment do so as an alternative to a knee replacement.
Joint preservation and realignment procedures are used to address the problem of osteoarthritis in patients. While it is not able to cure osteoarthritis, it can be successful in improving pain for younger individuals, who may need a knee replacement later in life.
Surgery is usually advised only after non-surgical treatments have failed.
What is the recovery time?
Joint preservation and realignment surgery typically means you’ll stay from two to four nights in hospital. Crutches can be needed for four to six weeks. Work to improve range of motion and muscle strength can begin after two weeks, and you will be able to resume high-intensity physical activity, such as running, after four to six months, providing the bone has healed well.
Mr Mann will ensure that you are given the expert advice and support you need to make a full recovery.
To make an enquiry or find out more about how you could benefit from hip or knee surgery, fill out the enquiry form below.
Associated conditions
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition. It is a “wear and tear” process involving the joint cartilage. As the wear process progresses it produces abnormal joint loading which in turn leads to the gradual onset of pain, deformity and loss of function.