Functional outcome following excision of tumours of the distal radius and reconstruction by autologous non-vascularized osteoarticular fibula grafting.

The distal radius and its articulations clearly have a vital role in the functional abilities of the hand and wrist. The treatment of tumours of the radius, therefore, needs to achieve satisfactory clearance of the lesions while also preserving as much wrist function as possible. We have employed osteoarticular autologous fibula grafts to reconstitute the distal radius after tumour excision. Since 1992, 13 patients have been treated by this technique for tumours of the distal radius. The group comprised patients with primary and recurrent giant cell tumours of bone, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing's tumour. This technique achieves a satisfactory functional result without compromise of the prognosis for the tumour. Copyright 2002 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.