When the knee has normal alignment, forces through the knee joint are evenly distributed. Occasionally, people can develop malalignment. This can be caused by trauma or by normal wear and tear. It can also be a condition you are born with.

If the malalignment causes or contributes to pain, an osteotomy procedure can be performed to realign the joint. In this procedure, the malaligned bone is cut, realigned and secured with a plate.

The most common osteotomy procedures of the knee include the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), or tibial tubercle (the top, front of the shin bone). Healing occurs over six to 12 weeks. You will require crutches during that time.