Heel Bone (calcaneal) Osteotomy

We are one of the leading orthopaedic surgery clinics for medical tourists in the European Union. We are proud of the fact that over 90 % of our patients come from the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada and other countries.

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Nordorthopaedics Center Of Excellence
One of the world’s leading medical technology companies and orthopaedic implant manufacturers, Smith & Nephew, have chosen Nordorthopaedics as its exclusive partner in the Baltic States and the clinic is now a Center of Excellence for this company in the region. 
 
Experienced ankle and foot surgeon V. Kimtys
  • More than 20 years of working experience
  • 500 ankle prosthetics performed
  • 1.000 ankle fusion surgeries
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Refund for EU patients

Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times. 

Rehabilitation packages

One of the most important factors for a quick and full recovery after surgery is proper rehabilitation. Rehabilitation helps recover after surgery as well as prevents formation of blood clots and helps avoid most of the postoperative complications and side effects. We offer two different rehabilitation packages:

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Self-catered accommodation with medical care
11 reasons that make us the most popular orthopaedic clinic abroad

One of the most important factors for a quick and full recovery after surgery is proper rehabilitation. Usually, clinics are not able to offer this due to costs savings. Our patients can choose between two inpatient and outpatient options: rehabilitation with a physiotherapist of the Lithuanian national basketball team, prof. L. Siupsinskas or rehabilitation at a medical SPA.

Our team of 5 orthopaedic surgeons has 10-20 years of experience in the field in total performing over 1.000 different orthopaedic surgeries per year. Moreover, our surgeons are members of various prestigious surgical societies both Lithuanian and international. Our leading joint replacement surgeon S. Tarasevicius is an author of 150 scientific publications in different medical journals, who has performed more than 3.500 joint replacement surgeries during 15+ years of his professional experience. 

We are one of the leading orthopaedic surgery clinics for medical tourists in the European Union. We are proud of the fact that over 90 % of our patients come from the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada and other countries.

One of the world’s leading medical technology companies and orthopaedic implant manufacturers, Smith & Nephew, have chosen Nordorthopaedics as Center of Excellence in the Baltic States.

We are trusted by our patients and we appreciate all the reviews and feedback collected over the years. Find more than 150 testimonials here or on Google. 

Already more than 4.000 of our former, current and future patients joined our online community with the aim to build a space for opinions and mutual support. Members are welcome to share experiences about their visit to the clinic and to discuss all surgery-related matters. No other orthopaedic clinic can offer such group support.

Being a true member of the International Society of Arthroplasty Registries, Lithuania is one of the leaders in low joint replacement revision rates, as only 9% of surgeries in Lithuania require revision in 10 years after surgery. Moreover, with the implants used at our clinic, only 2-3% of surgeries require revision in 10 years after surgery, while revision rates in some other Western countries, for example, USA, is as high as 17% in 10 years after surgery. The implants used at our clinic have been evaluated by other countries’ registries as those ensuring longest implant life, as compared to products of other manufacturers. Moreover, thanks to our active participation in collecting data for the registries, the surgical technique used at our clinic ensures best surgical outcomes.

Our clinic works according to the highest standards set by the European Union. This helps to guarantee the quality of medical services. We care about the safety, comfort and successful results of our patients from all over the world. 

The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.

We provide customer service in 9 foreign languages including English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Polish. Everyone in our clinic speaks English, including nurses, assistants and the surgeon. 

Athletes treated at Nordorthopaedics
Official clinic of Lithuania national football teams
Highest quality implants

Our clinic uses implants based on their performance in international registries.

Being a true member of the International Society of Arthroplasty Registries, Lithuania is one of the leaders in low joint replacement revision rates, as only 9% of surgeries in Lithuania require revision in 10 years after surgery. Moreover, with the implants used at our clinic, only 2-3% of surgeries require revision in 10 years after surgery, while revision rates in some other Western countries, for example, USA, is as high as 17% in 10 years after surgery. The implants used at our clinic have been evaluated by other countries’ registries as those ensuring longest implant life, as compared to products of other manufacturers. Read more here.

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What is calcaneal osteotomy?

Calcaneal osteotomy is aimed at correcting the position of a heel bone (calcaneus) so that it perfectly aligns with a shin bone (tibia). The heel bone is critically important to the foot position during weight-bearing. Calcaneal osteotomy is designed to help patients with symptomatic foot and ankle malalignment, like an abnormally high or low foot arch. Calcaneal osteotomy relieves pain, improves bone alignment, and reduces the likelihood of arthritis later on in life.

Who is a good osteotomy candidate? What conditions does calcaneal osteotomy treat?

Calcaneal osteotomy is recommended for patients with either a cavovarus (high foot arch) or a planovalgus (low foot arch) deformity. Surgery to address the bony alignment is only considered after attempting conservative treatment options, like using custom-made corrective foot and ankle orthotics, rest, ice packs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and physical activity. Calcaneal osteotomy is not recommended for patients with arthritis, severe obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic skin diseases.

Deformation of the feet

Flat foot (Fallen arch)

Normal foot

Hollow foot (High arch)

How to prepare for calcaneal osteotomy?
What happens during calcaneal osteotomy?

Calcaneal osteotomy is a safe and effective surgery that improves one’s quality of life. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia and takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete. Firstly, a surgeon makes a few centimetre incisions along the outside of the foot to access the heel bone. Then, the surgeon uses a cutting instrument to divide the heel into two pieces. After cutting the bone, the surgeon shifts the pieces to the desired location and secures them with screws to hold the bones together. There are four main types of specific calcaneal osteotomy techniques:

Evans osteotomy, also known as lateral column lengthening, is performed on patients with flatfoot deformity. The heel bone is carefully divided into two pieces that are then spread apart. A wedge bone graft inserted between them to lengthen the outer side of the foot and create an anatomically correct arch.

Dwyer osteotomy is performed on patients with varus deformity (excessive inward angulation). It involves an incision in the outer side of the heel. A bone wedge is taken out of the heel and the bone pieces are shifted into an anatomically correct position.  

Medializing osteotomy is performed to restore a falling arch and correct flatfoot. The weight-bearing axis is changed by slightly cutting the heel bone and changing its position to create a higher arch. 

Lateralizing osteotomy is performed through an incision in the outer side of the heel to correct an abnormally high arch. The heel bone is cut into two parts that are then shifted to lower the arch of the foot.

What happens after calcaneal osteotomy?

After surgery, the operated leg is dressed and placed in a splint. For the first 3 days, patients are at bed rest and the operated leg is elevated above the level of the heart to reduce swelling. It is normal to experience swelling and moderate discomfort. While at the clinic, pain is managed with intravenous medications, and for pain control at home, patients are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen or naproxen. Ice packs can also be used for comfort.

It is recommended to stay at home for at least a week post-op. To speed up recovery, we advise to drink enough water, get proper rest, and maintain a well-balanced nutritious diet.

How long does it take to recover from calcaneal osteotomy?