High Tibial Osteotomy

woodbon

Hello, Sounds as if you've reall been and are going through it! They should have given you one of those nice morphine pumps that you use yourself! I had one after surgery and I don't remember much, but my husband said I sat in bed with my finger on the button and a smile on my face!!! The pain kicked in when I came off it though.

I hope it all works out well for you and the time doesn't drag too much. It'll all be worthwhile in the end, I hope. You'll need lots of magazines and trashy novels to see you through. Lots of get well wishes, Sue

bailey27

edward61 wrote:

Hello,
I am 49 and had a very similar procedure to you at southmead hospital one week ago. Had my dressing changed yesterday and everything looks ok. Taking Ibuprofen and paracetamol at the moment and the pain is not too bad. The night time is the worst,the only way I can get to sleep is put pillows under my knee which I am not sure is the best thing for healing!
I am on crutches,partial weight bearing but done very little yet due to pain and swelling.
Please let me know how you are,and any advice would be helpful.

Hi i am currently 6 months post op now. MY leg still hasnt healed, think they call it a non union, I have recently had a CT scan so hopefully I'll get more info from that. The bones are still broke and get a lot of pain sometimes. It is very odd, most of the time it feel fine but quite often the pain can be quite breathtaking. I am full weight bearing at the moment but still have to wear the Donjoy. Do you have one of these? It feel like an extension of my body now! lol I think everyone reacts and heals differently to this surgery adn it all depends on how much you have had done etc. I have a feelng the medications i am taking for the arthritis are not helping and vice versa. I'll find out in january which will then be 7 months post op if i need more surgery.
What type of surgery was yours?? mine was a tibial tubercle transfer.

stralachlan

18 months post op

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I thought it was worth keeping my experience of an HTO all in one place as there isnt much info about it on the net.

My leg bone has fully healed and I've progressed really well with my walking and find day-to-day activities much easier now. My consultant is really pleased with my progress. But my shin muscles are rubbing on the plate in my leg so I still limp going up stairs, and the leg press in the gym can be excrutiating (although I am up to 35kg on a single leg now). Finning during scuba diving has been too sore as well. Also my muscles still tighten up when I walk too far, which is probably due to my foot being in a different place.

I've opted to have the plate removed, and I've just been for my pre-op appointment today. I'm back in on the 16th Mar for the operation. I was told today that the plate would need to be removed anyway for a TKR which I'm expecting to need in 10-15 years so its the right decision all round. I'm hoping it will remove a lot of the residual pain even if it is another couple of weeks on crutches. This one is just day surgery though so it should be a lot easier than the last one.

ThirstyParched

Hi All,

Really interesting reading all your accounts and slightly concerning too. I've just turned 40 and had knee arthroscopy in Feb this year and have been diagnosed with Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis. There is no cartilage left, just bone on bone. My consultant is recommending I have High Tibial Osteotomy to reduce weight bearing through medial part of my knee. I have an appointment this Friday to see the consultant again to discuss what action to take but I am very worried about HTO as I haven't heard many good stories. I have been searching the internet but can't find many success stories and just keep hearing how painful the aftermath is and how long recovery time is.

I am inclined to refuse the HTO op, and ask if I could have an unloader knee brace instead and then just manage with that until I'm older to have TKR.

Does anyone actually recommend HTO? Are there any success stories??

Stralachlan, you last posted update earlier this year, how are you getting on now? Do you still get muscle pain?

I'd appreciate any feedback and thanks for your time.

Cheers,
Kirsty.

stralachlan

Hi Kirsty, I had the plate removed mid March - that was a much easier op than I was expecting. I threw away the crutches on day 2. I was given the go ahead to start back at the gym a fortnight ago, but somehow that doesnt seem to have happened :oops:

I've got no noticeable pain on stairs now, so I think the gym exercises will be fine too. My consultant did say he wouldnt have been able to do the TKR later with the plate in place, so better to get it out now.

I am still having a few problems with the outside leg muscles tightening when I try and walk long distance at my usual "need to get from A to B" pace. If I just bimble its fine. The physio has said muscles in compression like those down the outside of my leg can do weird things, but she hasnt given me any specific exercises, more of a time will sort it out. I'm on a 6 month open appt at the mo, so I really need to get to the gym and test it out, before deciding whether to go back or not.

Overall - I can now do the tesco weekly shop or cut the grass without it finishing me off. My knee doesnt catch & collapse on me, and it doesnt ache as much in cold damp weather. I'm off daily painkillers. But long distance walking is still a bit of a chore.

So yes its probably been the right choice for me in the long term, but expect to have to put the work in at the physio. Although I will say I've certainly had moments when I've wondered if I had done the right thing.

ThirstyParched

Hi Stralachlan,
Thanks for your prompt response and I'm glad you're making a better recovery now you've had the plate removed. Though it is a long recovery isn't it?
I'm still not convinced it'll be the right decision for me though (I've got a 3 yr old son to run about after too) unless the consultant persuades me on Friday....

Thanks for you advice.
Kirsty.