About Joint Leveling
Key Highlights
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Preserves the patient's natural joint, delaying or avoiding total joint replacement.Reduces pain and improves joint function by correcting the underlying mechanical problem.Can prevent the progression of arthritis in the overloaded part of the joint.Ideal for younger, active patients who wish to maintain a high level of physical activity.Offers a long-term solution for joint deformities caused by injury or developmental conditions.
Who is this surgery for?
- Unicompartmental osteoarthritis (arthritis affecting only one side of the knee).
- Bone deformities such as bow legs (varus) or knock knees (valgus).
- Post-traumatic malalignment following a fracture that healed incorrectly.
- Certain congenital conditions affecting bone growth and alignment.
- Chronic knee or ankle pain due to uneven joint loading that has not responded to conservative treatments like physiotherapy or injections.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive medical evaluation, including a detailed history and physical examination.
- Imaging studies such as full-length standing X-rays to precisely measure the deformity and plan the correction.
- Pre-operative blood tests, ECG, and other assessments to ensure fitness for surgery.
- Discussion of medications; patients may need to stop certain blood thinners days before surgery.
- Pre-operative physiotherapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and prepare for rehabilitation.
- Arranging for assistance at home and planning for the recovery period post-discharge.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, or blood clots (deep vein thrombosis).
- Nerve or blood vessel injury near the surgical site.
- Delayed union or non-union of the osteotomy (bones not healing properly).
- Over-correction or under-correction of the deformity.
- Stiffness in the joint or loss of range of motion.
- Persistent pain or the need for additional surgery, including eventual joint replacement.
- Hardware irritation from plates or screws, potentially requiring removal.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for pain management and monitoring.
- Use of crutches or a walker with strict non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing for 6-8 weeks to protect the healing bone.
- Early post-operative physiotherapy to manage swelling, maintain muscle tone, and begin gentle range-of-motion exercises.
- Gradual progression to full weight-bearing and strengthening exercises as guided by the surgeon and physiotherapist.
- Regular follow-up X-rays to monitor bone healing.
- Avoidance of high-impact activities for several months; return to sports is typically gradual and may take 6-12 months.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-4 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering joint leveling in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for joint leveling in India include Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Miot Hospital Chennai, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform joint leveling. MediFyr helps you compare orthopedists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for joint leveling compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Joint Leveling in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated orthopedics teams and experience managing patients undergoing joint leveling.
David Roy, a 58-year-old construction foreman,...
David Roy, a 58-year-old construction foreman, had spent 35 years on his feet, often on uneven ground. For the last five years, he'd developed a persistent limp and a deep, grinding pain in his left hip that radiated down to his knee. Simple tasks like walking his dog or standing to grill became agonizing. An X-ray revealed significant leg length discrepancy, his left leg was 2 cm shorter than his right, causing severe hip arthritis. His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Evans, explained that a 'joint leveling' procedure, specifically a femoral osteotomy, could realign his leg, redistribute weight off the damaged hip cartilage, and potentially delay the need for a total hip replacement. David was terrified of a major surgery but more afraid of being forced into early retirement. The surgery went smoothly. The initial recovery in the hospital was tough, with pain and learning to walk with crutches. However, after six weeks of strict physical therapy, the difference was profound. The constant, grinding pain was gone, replaced by manageable soreness from healing. A year later, David walks without a limp, is back to light duty supervising sites, and feels a deep sense of relief and regained independence. His emotional journey moved from frustration and fear of losing his livelihood to overwhelming gratitude for getting his active life back.
Orthopedists for Joint Leveling
Explore experienced orthopedists who regularly perform joint leveling and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 48 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 28 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore