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Surgery to realign your leg for knee osteoarthritis

In realignment surgery for knee osteoarthritis, the bone is corrected so that more weight passes through the less worn part of the knee. The procedure can reduce pain and delay a knee replacement, but requires months of rehabilitation.

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In realignment surgery for knee osteoarthritis, the bone is corrected so that more weight passes through the less worn part of the knee. The procedure can reduce pain and delay a knee replacement, but requires months of rehabilitation.

  • Pain with weight-bearing, mainly on one side of the knee, when walking, climbing stairs or playing sport.
  • Stiffness when starting to move after sitting or in the morning, usually shorter than in inflammatory rheumatic disease.
  • Stop smoking well before surgery to improve bone and wound healing.
  • Prepare your home, transport, crutches and help, as stairs and carrying things will temporarily be difficult.
  • Discuss realignment surgery if pain continues to limit daily functioning despite exercise therapy, weight management and pain treatment.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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K
Knee replacementA knee replacement is a prosthesis fitted when pain, stiffness and loss of function from severe knee damage do not improve enough with other treatments. Surgery can improve walking, stair use and sleep, but requires active rehabilitation and patience. Possible complications include infection, thrombosis, wound problems, persistent stiffness, loosening and sometimes lasting pain despite technically successful surgery. Tell your dentist and other doctors that you have a knee prosthesis. Antibiotics for dental procedures are not automatically needed for everyone; if unsure, discuss this with your orthopaedic specialist and dentist, especially with previous prosthetic infection or high risk.
H
Hip replacementA hip replacement is a prosthesis fitted when pain and restriction from hip damage do not improve enough with other treatments. Surgery can greatly improve walking, sleeping and daily function, but requires preparation and substantial rehabilitation. Important risks include infection, thrombosis, hip dislocation, nerve problems, a feeling of unequal leg length and, longer term, wear or loosening. After hip replacement, tell every doctor and dentist that you have a prosthesis. Antibiotics for dental procedures are not routine for everyone; if unsure, discuss this with your orthopaedic specialist and dentist, especially with previous prosthetic infection or high risk.
S
Shoulder replacementA shoulder replacement is a prosthesis fitted when pain and loss of function from joint damage do not improve enough with other treatments. Surgery can greatly reduce pain, but it is a major procedure. Beforehand, understand which type of prosthesis is needed, how the tendons function and what rehabilitation involves. Important risks include infection, thrombosis, nerve injury, loosening and sometimes dislocation or instability. Always tell your dentist and other doctors that you have a prosthesis, but antibiotics for dental procedures are not routine for everyone; follow your orthopaedic specialist's and dentist's advice.