Hemijoint allografts in the treatment of low grade malignant and aggressive bone tumours about the knee

Nine consecutive patients undergoing osteoarticular allogenic transplantation for low grade malignant or aggressively benign tumours have been followed up for between 8 to 15 years. Eight patients had functioning knees whilst 1 ended in arthrodesis. Of the functioning knees all had full extension but only 3 could flex more than 90°. Seven patients had returned to work. Radiologically all the knees showed progressive deterioration. In spite of this only three knees were painful with exercise and none at rest. We conclude that hemijoint allografts represent a useful alternative to make good a bony defect after tumour resection about the knee, but that the ultimate result of such a reconstruction depends on survival of the joint surfaces.