Avoid/Delay Knee Replacement

August 27, 2018

Proximal Fibular Osteotomy(PFO) – New Treatment Technique for Osteoarthritis(OA) Knee. PFO is a new procedure to deal knee pain bypassing the knee replacement and delays osteoarthric changes of knee due to aging so delays the knee replacement. This technique is popularized by Dr. L. Prakash of Chennai. • Technique details: Human leg has two long bones i.e. Tibia (main bone) and Fibula. Tibia is the main load bearing bone and fibula has very little role in functioning of leg. In routine orthopedic surgeons take some portion of fibula and use it for bone grafting. This removal does not make any difference to leg functioning. So in this procedure surgeon removes 1-2 cm of fibula. • Indications: Knee pain. Single compartment disease. Age more than 45 yrs. • Complication: No major complication. No blood loss. In some cases temporary foot weakness for few days. • Special features: Simple daycare, Can walk on same day. No prolonged bed rest. No need of walking aid. Fit for medically unfit patients. Low cost. Natural knee preserved, No implant. No chance of complication like infection of knee, implant reaction, loosening of implant etc. • Prognosis: Literature says it can give relief upto 10 yrs. • Message: It is a very safe, low cost, effective procedure to get rid off knee pain. There is nothing to loose, patient will get total to some relief, if it does not work there is a choice of TKR in the last which a massive surgery with major complications. We suggest you to consider this procedure before indulgding in TKR.