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What Is Femoral Osteotomy?

Femoral osteotomy is surgery in which a surgeon cuts the femur, or thighbone, to change its position or alignment. It may be performed near the hip or knee, depending on the condition being treated. The bone is held in its new position while it heals. The goal may be to improve joint alignment, stability, or how weight passes through a joint.

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What Is Femoral Osteotomy?

Femoral osteotomy is surgery in which a surgeon cuts the femur, or thighbone, to change its position or alignment. It may be performed near the hip or knee, depending on the condition being treated. The bone is held in its new position while it heals. The goal may be to improve joint alignment, stability, or how weight passes through a joint.

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When Is Femoral Osteotomy Considered?

A femoral osteotomy may be considered for certain hip or knee alignment problems. Near the knee, realignment can shift weight away from an area damaged by arthritis. A rotational osteotomy can address abnormal twisting of the thighbone in selected cases. Imaging and an orthopedic examination guide the decision.

How Is Femoral Osteotomy Performed?

The surgeon cuts the femur at a planned location and moves the bone into the intended position. Depending on the correction, a wedge of bone may be removed or an opening may be created. Plates and screws commonly hold the bone while it heals. The precise technique differs for hip, knee, and rotational corrections.

What Happens During Recovery?

The cut bone needs time to heal in its new position. Crutches or another walking aid may be needed, and the surgeon will set limits on how much weight the leg can bear. Physical therapy helps restore movement and strength. Follow-up imaging checks bone healing and alignment.

What Are the Risks of Femoral Osteotomy?

Risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and injury to a nerve or blood vessel. The bone may heal slowly or fail to heal in the intended position. Hardware can cause discomfort or occasionally require another operation. The risks depend on the location and extent of the correction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Femoral Osteotomy

Is the femur removed during the operation?

No. The surgeon cuts and repositions the thighbone, then holds it in place for healing.

Can femoral osteotomy treat knee arthritis?

In selected cases, realigning the femur can shift weight away from the more damaged part of the knee. It does not remove the arthritis.

Will I need crutches afterward?

Crutches or another walking aid may be needed while the bone heals. The surgeon determines when more weight can be placed on the leg.

Are plates and screws permanent?

They may remain in place after healing. Removal may be considered if the hardware causes problems.

References

Distal femoral osteotomy for the valgus knee: indications, complications, clinical and radiological outcome. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10491530/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Femoral Osteotomy. Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. https://roh.nhs.uk/services-information/hips/femoral-osteotomy. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Femoral Osteotomy: Surgery Hip Impingement and Other Issues. Hospital for Special Surgery. https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/femoral-osteotomy-for-hip-conditions. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Osteotomy (Bone Cutting): What It Is, Procedure & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22688-osteotomy. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Osteotomy of the knee. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007499.htm. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.