Osteotomy

What is an osteotomy?

An osteotomy is a surgical procedure to cut a bone. After the bone is cut, it may be lengthened, straightened, or shortened during the surgery (acutely) or gradually after the surgery. After the osteotomy, the surgeon may apply external fixation or insert internal fixation. At the International Center for Limb Lengthening, we perform osteotomies in the humerus (upper arm bone), radius/ulna (forearm), femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and in multiple foot bones.

What are the different types of osteotomies?

Osteotomies can be described as opening wedge or closing wedge.

They also can be described by their shapes: straight, curved, U-shaped, etc. The choice/style of osteotomy depends on the specific goals of surgery.

What surgical techniques are used to perform an osteotomy?

The following surgical techniques are used to perform an osteotomy (listed from most to least frequently used):

1. Multiple drill-hole osteotomy
2. Oscillating saw osteotomy
3. Gigli saw osteotomy

Why choose the International Center for Limb Lengthening?

Click here to learn why patients choose to be treated at the International Center for Limb Lengthening.