A distal femoral osteotomy is a surgical procedure to cut and realign the lower end of the femur bone, in order to change the forces going through the one side of the joint.

distal femoral osteotomy for osteochondral defect
Distal femoral osteotomy in a young man to relieve pressure on an osteochondral defect.

 

Indications for distal femoral osteotomy

The procedure is usually done to correct a valgus (knock-knee) deformity, but may be part of a double-level osteotomy in combination with a high tibial osteotomy. The procedure may also be done to relieve pressure on the cartilage on one side, for example if a cartilage repair procedure has been performed.

Distal femoral osteotomy is usually of the closing wedge variety, where a wedge of bone is removed and the space closed and held in place with screws until the bone unites across the gap. The 'hardware' is generally eventually removed once the bone is fully reunited.

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Synonyms: 
DFO
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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...