THE ILIZAROV METHOD IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GIANT-CELL TUMORS OF THE PROXIMAL TIBIA

We have used the Ilizarov technique for the management of subarticular defects after the excision of giant-cell tumours in the proximal tibi a in five patients, The defect was reconstructed with a segment of 5 t o 6 cm obtained from the diaphysis of the affected tibia and by autoge nous bone graft from the iliac crest. The newly developed defect in th e diaphysis was reconstructed by distraction using the Ilizarov appara tus. Bone grafting at the docking site was performed soon after positi oning the bone segments. The mean length of the bone defect was 5.7 cm and the mean duration of external fixation was 233 days, The relative blood how in the leg measured by Tc-99m angiography increased by 1.7 to 2.3 times that of the control level during distraction and consolid ation, When seen at a mean of 43 months all patients showed a normal r ange of motion in the knee and ankle with no collapse of the articular surfaces.