Osteotomy ("bone cutting") is a procedure in which a wedge of bone is removed from or inserted in a damaged joint.

When applied to the knee, it is most often used to correct a misalignment disorder (such as bowleg and knock-knee) that is causing a knee problem. When misalignment is causing degeneration of the knee (arthritis), an osteotomy may be considered as long as the arthritis is not too far progressed. If the arthritis is long-standing, the realignment procedure may not significantly improve the condition.

Osteotomy may allow an active person to postpone a total joint replacement for a few years and is usually reserved for younger people.

Osteotomy and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Osteotomy: (The Knee Society)

Wedge Osteotomy (The Stone Clinic)