Deformity correction
Bowleg correction with SADO
Bowlegs (genu varum) bow outward at the knee, and many patients have both angular and rotational deformity. Correcting the angle alone with a high tibial osteotomy can bring the knees together yet leave the overall alignment looking unnatural. Dr. Donghoon Lee therefore developed SADO — Simultaneous Angular and Derotational Osteotomy — correcting both in one operation.
Who it suits
- Bowlegs combined with rotational deformity
- Patients wanting both better appearance and healthier knee loading
Technique highlights
- Angular and rotational correction in one operation — a technique developed by Dr. Lee
- Internal fixation only — no external fixator
- Minimally invasive with cosmetic suture; no cast or brace afterwards
- Fast recovery, averaging 4-6 weeks
Surgical steps
- Measure angle and torsion on standing radiographs and CT.
- Osteotomy with simultaneous angular and rotational adjustment to the planned values.
- Internal fixation and cosmetic wound closure.
- Begin weight-bearing and physiotherapy to plan, without a cast.
Recovery & aftercare
- Average 4-6 weeks to normal daily activity.
- No cast or brace after surgery.
Risks & things to consider
- Bone lengthening is major surgery. Outcome and recovery time depend on bone quality, age, weight and how disciplined the patient is with rehabilitation, so identical results cannot be guaranteed.
- Daily physiotherapy is mandatory through both the lengthening and consolidation phases. Skipping it risks joint stiffness, muscle contracture or delayed bone healing.
- Disclose all medical conditions, regular medication, previous bone surgery and drug allergies at the consultation, and stop smoking before and after surgery as instructed — nicotine measurably slows bone healing.
- Bowleg correction is not simply about making the knees touch — the underlying deformity must be treated for legs that are both attractive and healthy.
Frequently asked questions
How is SADO different from a standard HTO?
A high tibial osteotomy corrects the angle only; SADO corrects angle and rotation together, giving a more natural result when both are present, with internal fixation and no external frame.
Other procedures in this area
Related articles
- HeightDr. Donghoon Limb Lengthening Institute (DALRI)Dr. Donghoon Advanced Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction Institute (DALRI) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do specialises in stature lengthening, bowleg and knock-knee correction, leg length discrepancy and revision surgery, led by Dr. Lee Dong Hoon — the first surgeon in Asia to complete PRECICE nail lengthening.
- SurgeryJW Plastic SurgeryJW Plastic Surgery is a Gangnam hospital known for rhinoplasty and correction of deformed noses. It runs its own cartilage research unit and takes a high share of complex revision cases from across Asia.
- HeightHeight surgery reviews 2026: real before & after cases from DALRIReal height-surgery reviews from the Dr. Donghoon institute (DALRI) in South Korea show gains of roughly 5–6.5 cm per lengthened segment. Most cases lengthen the tibia with LON or PRECICE and are followed with radiographs from six months to over two years post-op. Every figure here comes from the hospital's own published captions, not an estimate.
- SurgeryBanobagi Plastic SurgeryBanobagi is a full-service plastic surgery hospital in Gangnam, known for eye and nose surgery and an in-house aftercare skin centre — ideal for patients combining several procedures in one trip.