Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Görkem Kıyak
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Deformity Correction & Limb Lengthening
Osteotomy
What an osteotomy is, how a surgeon cuts and realigns a bone to shift load or correct deformity, the main types at the knee, hip, foot and jaw, how it compares with joint replacement, who suits it, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, a staged recovery outline, realistic results, risks, and how to choose a surgeon.
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Osteotomy in Turkey: what the operation is and how it works
Osteotomy is an operation in which a surgeon deliberately cuts a bone, moves the two parts into a new position and holds them there with plates, screws or pins until they heal in the corrected alignment. The aim is to change the angle of a limb or the direction of force through a joint. A bowed leg, for example, puts most of the body weight through one side of the knee; cutting the shin bone and tilting it moves the load to the healthier side. Osteotomy is used in the knee, hip, ankle and foot, the arm, the spine, the pelvis and the jaw, in adults and children, and is offered in orthopaedic departments and hospitals in Turkey.
This guide explains the main types, who they suit, how an osteotomy compares with a joint replacement, how the operation and recovery work, what it costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, and how to question a clinic. For other bone and joint care see our page on orthopaedic treatments in Turkey.
Which type of osteotomy might I need?
The name usually describes the bone and the direction of the cut. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) realigns the shin bone below the knee for bow-leg or knock-knee alignment with early arthritis on one side of the knee; our page on tibial osteotomy covers this in detail. Distal femoral osteotomy works from the thigh bone side. Around the hip, a periacetabular osteotomy reorients a shallow socket in young adults with hip dysplasia, and a femoral osteotomy changes the angle of the neck of the thigh bone. In the foot, osteotomies of the first metatarsal are a standard way to correct a bunion. In the jaw, surgeons realign the jaws to correct the bite, which is a separate field described in our guide to mandibular osteotomy.
In children and teenagers, osteotomy corrects growth deformities and rotation; larger or complex cases may be handled together with deformity correction and limb-lengthening teams (see bone deformity correction surgery).
Does osteotomy work? What the evidence says
For the right patient it can reduce pain and delay or avoid joint replacement. Studies of high tibial osteotomy report that most active patients under about 60 with arthritis confined to one side of the knee keep a working knee for many years, though results decline over time and some people later need a replacement. Periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia is widely used to protect the hip in young adults. For bunions, the evidence is more mixed, with recurrence possible and results depending on the technique and the degree of deformity.
Osteotomy is a reasoned option, not a cure for arthritis. It shifts the load; it does not rebuild cartilage. Surgeons rely on standing X-rays, CT or MRI to plan the angle, and the plan matters more than the plate used. A trustworthy surgeon will tell you what is expected for your age, activity level and joint, and will not promise that you will never need another operation.
Osteotomy or joint replacement: which suits me?
A replacement removes the worn joint surfaces and substitutes metal and plastic parts; it gives reliable pain relief for severe arthritis but has a limited lifespan and activity restrictions. An osteotomy keeps your own joint and suits younger, active people with one-sided wear and a clear alignment problem. See our page on joint replacement for the comparison.
| Option | Suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Osteotomy | Younger, active patients with deformity or one-sided wear | Longer healing; hardware; later replacement may still be needed |
| Partial or total joint replacement | Advanced arthritis across the joint, older patients | Implant wear; limits on impact sport |
| Non-surgical care | Mild symptoms, early arthritis, those not fit for surgery | Does not correct alignment; relief may fade |
If you have stiff, advanced arthritis in all parts of the joint, osteotomy is unlikely to help, and the surgeon should say so.
Who is and who is not a good candidate for osteotomy?
Good candidates are usually people with a measurable deformity or uneven loading, in a joint that is still largely healthy, with good bone quality and a willingness to follow a rehabilitation programme. Younger, active patients with knee pain on one side and bow-legs are the classic case. You are less suitable if arthritis is widespread, if the joint is stiff or unstable, if you have inflammatory arthritis, are heavily overweight, smoke or have uncontrolled diabetes or poor circulation, because these raise the risk of delayed healing. Age is not a fixed limit, but surgeons weigh it carefully.
Osteotomy surgery step by step
You are under general or spinal anaesthesia. The surgeon uses X-ray guidance to mark the planned cut. Through an incision the bone is exposed, cut with a saw to the planned depth and opened or closed like a wedge, and held in its new position with a plate and screws. In an opening-wedge osteotomy a gap is created and often filled with a bone graft or synthetic material; in a closing wedge a segment is removed and the bone is brought together. The wound is closed and a dressing, and sometimes a brace, is applied. Surgery takes one to three hours and requires a hospital stay of two to five days. For a related reshaping operation without a full cut, see osteoplasty.
Osteotomy cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for the operation including a hospital stay, not hospital quotes. They depend on the bone and the technique, the amount of hardware and graft, imaging and the length of stay. Each hospital confirms its price in writing.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €3,000 – €10,000 |
| United Kingdom | €7,000 – €18,000 |
| United States | €15,000 – €50,000 |
| Germany | €6,000 – €16,000 |
What changes the price: the number of bones and the complexity of planning (3D or CT-based), plates and implants, graft material, the hospital stay and physiotherapy. A package normally includes pre-operative scans, the operation, the anaesthetist, the hospital stay, medication, the first rehabilitation sessions and airport transfers. Ask whether plate removal, if needed later, and follow-up X-rays are included.
Osteotomy recovery: how long until the bone heals?
The bone needs time to knit in its new position, and the plan is always set by the surgeon. As a guide for a knee osteotomy: crutches and limited weight bearing for about two to six weeks; a brace in some cases; walking without aids by around six to twelve weeks once the X-ray shows healing; desk work after two to four weeks; driving after about six weeks depending on the leg; and sport after four to six months or longer. In the foot the walking boot and protected weight bearing last around six weeks. Healing is slower in smokers and may take longer in older patients.
Most surgeons advise staying in Turkey for about four to seven days for a limb operation, so the wound can be checked, pain controlled and mobility practised with a physiotherapist. Flying is usually possible once the surgeon agrees; blood-thinning medication and regular movement reduce the risk of clots. Physiotherapy after you return home is part of the result, so arrange it before you travel.
Realistic results and risks of osteotomy
Most people notice that the pain from the overloaded side improves once the bone has healed and swelling has settled, which takes three to six months. Photographs and X-rays after surgery show a straighter limb or a changed joint angle; they will not show how the joint feels. Results are better when the alignment is corrected to the planned angle and the patient completes rehabilitation, and worse when arthritis is already widespread. The plate may be removed after a year or more if it irritates.
Risks include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel injury, delayed or failed healing of the bone (non-union), loss of correction, stiffness, persistent pain and over- or under-correction of the angle. Rarely, further surgery or conversion to a joint replacement is needed. The NHS and orthopaedic societies advise choosing a surgeon who performs the specific operation regularly and asking about their own complication rates.
How to choose a surgeon and hospital, and questions to ask
Look for an orthopaedic surgeon with regular experience of your type of osteotomy, a hospital with imaging, an anaesthetist and physiotherapy team, and a written surgical plan with the price before you pay a deposit. Red flags include recommendations without X-rays or weight-bearing images, promises that you will never need a replacement, a vague quote and pressure to book quickly. Read how our process works and request a plan through our free quote page.
- Why is osteotomy recommended for me instead of a joint replacement or non-surgical care?
- Which bone will be cut, and how is the angle planned and measured?
- What type of plate or graft is used, and will it need removing?
- How long will I be on crutches, and how many days should I stay in Turkey?
- What is included in the price, and who treats me if there is a complication at home?
Hospitals with Orthopedics in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
An osteotomy is an operation in which a surgeon cuts a bone, moves it into a new alignment and fixes it with plates or screws. It is used to correct deformity, shift load away from a worn joint or realign a jaw.
An osteotomy cuts the bone completely, changes its alignment and holds it with plates or screws. Osteoplasty reshapes a bone while it stays in place, for example by smoothing a bump or adding graft material. Surgeons sometimes combine the two.
Approximate ranges are €3,000 to €10,000 in Turkey, against about €7,000 to €18,000 in the UK. The price depends on the bone, technique, hardware, graft and hospital stay; the hospital confirms it in a written quote.
Bone healing takes about six to twelve weeks, with crutches or limited weight bearing at first. Many people return to desk work after two to four weeks, and sport usually resumes after four to six months with the surgeon's approval.
For younger, active people with wear on one side of the knee and a leg alignment problem, it can reduce pain and delay a knee replacement for years. It does not rebuild cartilage and works less well when arthritis is widespread.
You are under anaesthesia during the operation. Afterwards there is soreness, swelling and bruising, managed with prescribed painkillers, ice and elevation. Pain usually eases over the first weeks as the bone heals and mobility improves.
They carry different risks. Osteotomy keeps your own joint but needs the bone to heal and may be followed by a replacement later. Replacement gives reliable relief for advanced arthritis but implants wear. Your surgeon should compare them for you.
Not always. Many people keep the plate. If it irritates the skin or tendons, the surgeon may remove it after the bone has healed, usually after a year or more, in a short second operation that is normally done as a day case.
Risks include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel injury, delayed or failed bone healing, loss of correction and stiffness. Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes raise the risk of healing problems, so tell your surgeon about both.
Surgeons often advise about four to seven days for a limb operation, so the wound can be checked and walking practised with a physiotherapist before you fly. Your surgeon will confirm the time after reviewing your case and scans.
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