Knee Osteotomy in Vietnam

Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for advanced orthopedic and joint-preserving surgeries, attracting both regional and international patients. Among the effective surgical options for younger and active patients with knee arthritis is knee osteotomy—a procedure designed to relieve pain, restore function, and delay the need for total knee replacement.

With experienced orthopedic surgeons, modern hospitals, and significantly lower treatment costs compared to Western countries, knee osteotomy in Vietnam offers an attractive solution for patients seeking long-term knee preservation rather than immediate joint replacement.

This comprehensive guide explains what knee osteotomy is, who it is suitable for, how it is performed in Vietnam, recovery expectations, costs, and why Vietnam is an excellent choice for this procedure.

What Is Knee Osteotomy?

Knee osteotomy is a joint-preserving orthopedic surgery that involves cutting and realigning the bones around the knee joint—most commonly the tibia (shinbone) or femur (thighbone)—to correct limb alignment.

The procedure redistributes body weight away from the damaged or arthritic portion of the knee and onto healthier cartilage. By correcting abnormal load distribution, knee osteotomy can:

• Reduce pain

• Improve knee function

• Slow the progression of arthritis

• Delay or avoid total knee replacement

Knee osteotomy is particularly effective for patients with unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis and limb deformities such as bow legs (varus) or knock knees (valgus).

Who Is a Good Candidate for Knee Osteotomy?

Knee osteotomy is not suitable for everyone. It is typically recommended for patients who:

• Are relatively young and active (usually under 60 years old)

• Have arthritis affecting only one side of the knee joint

• Have good knee range of motion

• Have minimal or no ligament instability

• Have knee deformity (bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment)

• Want to delay knee replacement surgery

Patients with advanced, widespread knee arthritis may benefit more from knee replacement rather than osteotomy.

Conditions Treated With Knee Osteotomy

Knee osteotomy is commonly used to treat:

• Medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

• Lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis

• Knee pain caused by abnormal leg alignment

• Post-traumatic knee arthritis

• Early degenerative knee conditions in active individuals

Types of Knee Osteotomy Performed in Vietnam

Orthopedic surgeons in Vietnam perform several types of knee osteotomy, depending on the location and nature of the deformity.

High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)

• The most common form

• Corrects bow-legged (varus) deformity

• Shifts weight from the inner (medial) knee compartment to the outer compartment

Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO)

• Used for knock-knee (valgus) deformity

• Corrects alignment by reshaping the femur

Opening-Wedge vs Closing-Wedge Osteotomy

• Opening-wedge osteotomy: bone is opened and filled with graft material

• Closing-wedge osteotomy: a wedge of bone is removed to realign the joint

The choice of technique depends on anatomy, severity of deformity, and surgeon expertise.

How Knee Osteotomy Is Performed in Vietnam

Preoperative Assessment

Before surgery, patients undergo a detailed evaluation, including:

• Full-length leg X-rays to assess alignment

• MRI to evaluate cartilage and soft tissue

• CT scans in selected cases

• Physical and functional assessment

International patients can send medical imaging and reports in advance for online consultation and surgical planning.

Surgical Procedure

Knee osteotomy in Vietnam generally follows these steps:

1. Anesthesia (general or spinal)

2. Precise bone cut using surgical guides and imaging

3. Realignment of the bone to correct limb axis

4. Fixation using plates and screws

5. Bone grafting (if required)

6. Wound closure and stabilization

The surgery typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on complexity.

Benefits of Knee Osteotomy

• Preserves the patient’s natural knee joint

• Reduces pain and improves function

• Allows higher activity levels than knee replacement

• Delays or avoids total knee replacement

• Suitable for younger, active patients

• Long-term improvement in quality of life

Recovery After Knee Osteotomy

Hospital Stay

• Typically 3–5 days in hospital

Early Recovery

• Partial weight-bearing with crutches: 4–8 weeks

• Pain and swelling gradually decrease over weeks

Rehabilitation

• Physiotherapy begins early

• Focus on range of motion and muscle strengthening

• Progressive weight-bearing as bone heals

Bone Healing and Full Recovery

• Bone union: 3–6 months

• Return to daily activities: 2–3 months

• Return to sports or high-impact activity: 6–12 months (as advised)

International patients usually stay in Vietnam for 10–14 days after surgery for follow-up and initial rehabilitation.

Success Rate and Long-Term Outcomes

Knee osteotomy has shown high success rates in appropriately selected patients. Many patients experience:

• Significant pain relief

• Improved knee function

• Delayed progression of arthritis

Studies indicate that knee osteotomy can delay knee replacement by 10–15 years or longer, especially when combined with proper rehabilitation and lifestyle management.

Cost of Knee Osteotomy in Vietnam

One of the main advantages of knee osteotomy in Vietnam is cost savings.

While prices vary by hospital and surgical technique, knee osteotomy in Vietnam generally costs 50–70% less than in the United States, Australia, or Europe.

Typical costs may include:

• Surgeon and hospital fees

• Anesthesia

• Surgical implants (plates and screws)

• Standard postoperative care

Additional costs may apply for advanced implants, bone graft materials, or extended rehabilitation programs.

Why Choose Vietnam for Knee Osteotomy?

1. Skilled Orthopedic Surgeons

Vietnamese orthopedic surgeons are highly trained, with many specializing in knee preservation and sports medicine, and having international training experience.

2. Modern Hospitals and Technology

Leading hospitals in Vietnam offer:

• Advanced orthopedic operating theaters

• Digital surgical planning systems

• High-quality fixation implants

• Comprehensive rehabilitation services

3. Short Waiting Times

Unlike many public healthcare systems overseas, Vietnam allows fast scheduling for consultations and surgery.

4. Comprehensive Medical Tourism Support

International patients often receive:

• Online pre-treatment consultations

• Personalized treatment plans and cost estimates

• Visa assistance and medical invitation letters

• Airport transfers and transportation

• Hotel arrangements near hospitals

• English-speaking coordinators and interpreters

Knee Osteotomy vs Other Knee Treatments

Knee osteotomy is often recommended for younger, active patients before considering joint replacement.

Knee osteotomy performed by experienced orthopedic surgeons in a modern Vietnamese hospital using advanced alignment planning and fixation techniques.

Is Knee Osteotomy Safe in Vietnam?

Yes. When performed at reputable hospitals by experienced surgeons, knee osteotomy in Vietnam is safe and effective. Hospitals follow international sterilization protocols and clinical guidelines.

As with any surgery, risks include infection, blood clots, delayed bone healing, or hardware irritation, but complication rates are generally low.

Planning Knee Osteotomy in Vietnam

International patients are advised to:

• Provide imaging studies in advance

• Discuss recovery timelines before traveling

• Plan sufficient postoperative rest

• Follow physiotherapy and rehabilitation protocols carefully

Vietnam’s healthcare system is well-equipped to support international orthopedic patients throughout the treatment journey.

Conclusion

Knee osteotomy in Vietnam offers an effective joint-preserving solution for patients with early to moderate knee arthritis and limb alignment problems. With experienced surgeons, modern hospitals, comprehensive rehabilitation, and significant cost advantages, Vietnam has become a trusted destination for knee preservation surgery.

For patients seeking long-term knee function, pain relief, and the ability to remain active—while delaying knee replacement—knee osteotomy in Vietnam is a smart and reliable choice.