Lateral Opening Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy-Technique, Pearls, and Pitfalls

Lateral opening wedge distal femoral osteotomy (LOWDFO) is a good surgical option for active patients with valgus malalignment and lateral compartment knee pathology. The technique involves making an opening wedge osteotomy on the lateral aspect of the distal femur to correct valgus deformity. There are pros and cons of LOWDFO compared with medial closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy, but overall there are no major clinical outcomes differences. With appropriate technique, complications such as fracture, neurovascular injury, symptomatic hardware, and nonunion can be minimized.