Use of a Prosthesis for the Distal Portion of the Radius Following Resection of a Recurrent Giant-Cell Tumor

A case of an aggressive giant-cell tumor of the distal end of the right radius in a young adult male was presented. Two recurrences of the tumor followed, each within a year after surgery; the first, after curettage and implantation of bone chips from the ilium; the second, after resection of the distal portion of the radius and replacement by grafting the proximal portion of the patient's right fibula. A third operation was performed to remove the recurrent tumor and the eroded fibular graft, and to insert an acrylic prosthesis as a substitute for the distal fourth of the radius. This was an alternative to amputation to which the patient objected. Heavy irradiation was given shortly after the surgery. A good functional result was obtained with a small range of motion at the wrist. The patient was able to do heavy work; however, the prosthesis fractured after two years. Fairly good function continued, and despite the fracture of the prosthesis, the result has remained satisfactory to date without recurrence of the tumor. [See pdf for the image]