Comparison of the degenerative changes in weight-bearing joints following cementing or grafting techniques in giant cell tumour patients: medium-term results.

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare and assess the effect of bone grafting and cementing techniques--two common applications used in the treatment of subchondral giant cell tumours of bone (GCTs)--on the development of degenerative changes in the weight-bearing joints of the lower extremity. Eighty patients were included in this follow-up study, 44 of whom underwent curettage followed by bone grafting, and 36 who had curettage followed by cementation. At the 24-month post-operative examination, significantly less degenerative change was found in patients with bone cement than in those with bone grafting. At the 50-month and later (range: 50-148 months) post-operative examination, however, no significant differences were found between the two groups, indicating that there was a significant acceleration of degenerative changes in the cemented group after the 24-month follow-up.