The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 59, Issue 2 223-236, Copyright © 1977 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Resection-arthrodesis for malignant and potentially malignant lesions about the knee using an intramedullary rod and local bone grafts
WF Enneking and PD Shirley
Twenty patients with malignant or potentially malignant tumors (osteogenic
sarcoma, giant-cell tumor, synovial-cell sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and
chondroblastoma) located in the proximal end of the tibia or distal end of
the femur were treated by local resection and arthrodesis employing an
intramedullary rod and autogenous segmental cortical grafts obtained from
the same extremity. Use of a customized bent, fluted rod in the most recent
cases provided more stable fixation. There was only one local recurrence.
In properly selected patients, the method provided a stable extremity that
permitted resumption of a vigorous life-style within approximately one
year.