Prosthetic replacement of the knee and a large segment of the femur or tibia

Abstract

Total replacement of the knee and of a long segment of the femur or tibia provided functional recovery of the knee joint in thirteen patients in whom the length of the bone replaced ranged from seventy-five to 150 millimeters. Nine patients had benign bone tumors, three had malignant lesions, and one patient had salvage of a failed total knee arthroplasty, associated with loss of bone structure. After follow-up of two years or more, all patients had a stable extremity, excellent relief of pain, and a useful range of motion, although one patient required revision for loosening.