Clinical results of knee juxta-articular giant-cell tumors treated with bone cement filling and internal fixation after extensive curettage
Lin Ming1
, Chen Jingqian2, Xia Zhongyu1, Guo Meifeng1, Guo Bingqing1, Wang Yu1, Zou Jiaxuan2*, Xu Jianda1*
1Department of Orthopaedics, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
2Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
Keywords: Bone cement filling, extensive curettage, internal fixation, Juxta-articular giant-cell tumor.
Abstract
Objectives: This study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of patients with juxta-articular giant-cell tumors (GCTs) around the knee treated with bone cement filling and internal fixation after extensive curettage.
Patients and methods: A total of 15 patients (6 males, 9 females; mean age: 35.3±8.4 years; range, 24 to 53 years) with juxta-articular GCTs around the knee were retrospectively reviewed between January 2010 and June 2020. Wound healing, functional status as assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores, local recurrence, metastasis, and complications were evaluated.
Results: The mean follow-up was 41.3±9.9 (range, 24 to 69) months with an overall survival of 93.3%. The mean distance between tumor and cartilage was 6.29±3.73 mm. Five patients underwent reconstruction with cancellous allografts and the mean distance between tumor and cartilage was 2.20±1.48 mm in these patients. At the final follow-up, three patients had Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 tibiofemoral osteoarthritis in the operated knee. Lucent zones around the bone cement with no further progression were found in five patients. One patient experienced recurrence 17 months after surgery and was treated by en-bloc resection and reconstructed with a tumor endoprosthesis. The remaining 14 patients had a mean MSTS score of 26.86±2.11 (range, 23 to 30) at the final follow-up. The mean overall range of motion at the final follow-up was 109.20±14.20° (range, 85 to 130°).
Conclusion: Bone cement filling and internal fixation after extensive curettage is a viable strategy for accessing juxta-articular GCTs around the knee. The choice of local adjuvants, subchondral bone grafting, and the thickness of subchondral bone require more attention to preserve the continuity of articular cartilage.
* Xu Jianda and Zou Jiaxuan are the co-corresponding authors
# Lin Ming and Chen Jingqian are co-first authors.
Citation: Ming L, Jingqian C, Zhongyu X, Meifeng G, Bingqing G, Yu W, et al. et al. Clinical results of knee juxta-articular giant-cell tumors treated with bone cement filling and internal fixation after extensive curettage. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2025;36(1):31-38. doi: 10.52312/jdrs.2024.1801.
Wrote the main manuscript: L.M., C.J.; Undertook data management and statistical analysis: X.Z., G.M.; Contributed to data management and literatures review: G.B., W.Y.; Designed the study and managed overall process: X.J., Z.J. All authors have approved the final manuscript.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.