title: Preoperative planning for lower extremity osteotomies: an analysis using 4 different methods and 3 different osteotomy techniques.
abstract: Lower extremity osteotomy is a common procedure for managing deformity and unicompartmental gonarthrosis. One consideration not typically addressed is how the osteotomy will affect the leg length of the extremity. This article presents a numerical analysis of apparent leg-length change before and after osteotomy surgery. It also compares the differences resulting from the 3 different major types of osteotomies (closing wedge, opening wedge, and dome). Three different preoperative planning methods and a fourth intraoperative technique were studied. Using different methods of preoperative planning with the same osteotomy technique resulted in leg-length changes of 0.5 to 3 mm. Differences > 7 degrees in lower extremity alignment may result depending on the planning method used. When comparing osteotomy techniques, 2 cm in leg-length difference was calculated.
authors: Orthopaedic Associates of Central New York, and Department of Bioengineering and Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
authors: W M
authors: WM
authors: Mihalko
authors: K A
authors: KA
authors: Krackow
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000209:etiology*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning