Knocked knees, also called genu valgum or valgus alignment, describes a condition where the knees come together when the legs are straightened, with the feet and ankles staying apart. Many cases of knocked knees are visible in childhood and resolve on their own over time. For teens and adults with knocked knees, surgery or distal femoral osteotomy may be required in some circumstances when this knee condition impacts mobility or causes other complications. Dr. Steven Struhl at Shoulders & Knees offers distal femoral osteotomy at our clinics in NYC and Westchester.
Distal femoral osteotomy is a surgical fracture of the femur head where it connects with the knee joint. The fracture is made to realign the femur to a more central weightbearing position. An incision is made into the bone to create a gap that will shift the axis of the femur. In most cases, screws and plates are needed to stabilize the bone, and bone grafting may be needed to help the bone heal the incision quicker.
Who Is a Candidate for Distal Femoral Osteotomy?
There are several reasons distal femoral osteotomy may be considered in knocked knee patients. One indication is a patient with severe arthritis or cartilage loss on the outside of the knee. Straightening the femur and shifting the axis to the center where healthy cartilage resides can be an alternative to knee replacement surgery. Other indications include knocked knee patients who have certain knee injuries that are difficult to heal or repair with valgus alignment. These include some MCL tears or meniscus injuries that require surgery or treatment that may not be successful without a distal femoral osteotomy.
Dr. Steven Struhl is one of the top knee orthopedic surgeons in the country, using advanced techniques and technology to achieve the best results for his patients. If you are considering distal femoral osteotomy for any reason, contact us at Shoulders & Knees to schedule a consultation at our Westchester or NYC clinic with Dr. Struhl.
