How long is the recovery after a high tibial osteotomy?

The first two weeks

Most patients stay in hospital for one or two nights. You will be taught to walk with crutches, usually putting partial weight through the leg as instructed. Swelling and bruising down the shin and ankle are common.

At home, the focus is on controlling pain and swelling, keeping the knee moving and straight, and preventing blood clots with medication and ankle exercises. The wound is reviewed at around two weeks.

Weeks two to eight

Weight-bearing is increased step by step according to your surgeon's plan and X-ray findings. Many patients are walking without crutches somewhere between six and eight weeks, although protocols vary with the size of the correction and the plate used.

Physiotherapy works on full extension, bend, quadriceps activation and a normal walking pattern. Static cycling and pool exercises, once the wound has healed, are usually introduced in this phase.

Two to six months

Follow-up X-rays check that the bone is filling the gap. As it heals, strength and endurance work progresses, and many people notice the original inner knee pain has eased. Walking longer distances and gym work become more comfortable, while running is usually held back until the bone has healed and strength is restored.

Six months to a year

Return to running, padel, football and other demanding activities is usually considered between six and twelve months, guided by healing, strength and how the knee feels. Improvement can continue for a year or more. If the plate is irritating, removal may be discussed once the bone is fully solid.

Contact Aman Hospital urgently for fever, wound redness or discharge, calf pain or swelling, chest pain or breathlessness, or sudden new pain in the shin.