deformity correction

What is deformity correction?

Deformity correction is a procedure to straighten a bone that is bent or twisted in a way that is not normal. After the bone is straightened, the arm, leg, or foot has normal alignment and function. Deformities can be corrected in two different ways:

  • All at once during a surgical procedure (called acute correction)
  • Slowly over the course of several weeks or months (called gradual correction)

The doctor will choose the best approach for each patient based on his/her unique situation. Watch this video to learn about Karie’s journey during her leg-straightening treatment:

How does acute deformity correction work?

During surgery, the doctor makes a cut across the bone to create two separate bone segments. This surgical procedure to cut a bone is called an osteotomy. Then the doctor will straighten the bone.

After the bone is positioned correctly, the doctor inserts an internal device to keep the bone in the corrected position while it heals. The internal device may be an internal nail/rod or a metal plate. Sometimes additional soft-tissue procedures are done at the same time to allow the muscles and nerves to accommodate the correction. After the bone heals, the internal device may be removed during a second surgery.