Complications In Brief Osteotomy for Lower Extremity Malalignment

When performing an osteotomy for lower extremity malalignment, several complications can occur. These can include introducing iatrogenic malalignment, intraoperative fracture or vascular injury, postoperative recurrence of deformity, patella baja, and challenges when performing subsequent total knee replacement in the future. Likewise, a poor functional result can occur secondary to poor preoperative planning and patient selection. In this article, we review the complications that can occur as a result of errors made before, during, and after surgery. This article pertains to opening and closing wedge osteotomies of the distal femur and proximal tibia.