Topic Overview
An osteotomy is a surgery that involves cutting the bone. When a
patellar tracking disorder is caused by a structural
or alignment problem, an osteotomy can be an effective treatment option.
See a picture of the
knee.
A tibial tubercle osteotomy moves and reinserts the patellar tendon
into the shinbone (tibia). This procedure is commonly done for one or a
combination of conditions in which:
- A patella slips sideways (laterally), out of its
normal location.
- An
excessively long patellar tendon allows the patella to slide too high on the
knee joint (patella alta).
A tibial tubercle osteotomy is often combined with a
lateral release.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedic Surgery |
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| Last Revised | January 9, 2012 |
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