Preoperative planning and surgical technique for performing a Dwyer calcaneal osteotomy

To improve the technique of Dwyer closing wedge calcaneal osteotomies, specific methods for planning the degree of angular correction and for accurate achievement of this correction are presented. Patterns are made from preoperative radiographs and are cut and re-aligned in the desired fashion to establish the amount of angular correction necessary. The operative technique developed uses drill holes and a standard depth gauge. Measurement of the thickness of the bone at the level of the Dwyer or any other osteotomy thereby allows determination of the size of the base of the resection wedge necessary to achieve the desired angular correction.