title: What are the Functional Results, Complications, and Outcomes of Using a Custom Unipolar Wrist Hemiarthroplasty for Treatment of Grade III Giant Cell Tumors of the Distal Radius?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone presenting in the distal radius is rare, however, when they occur, Campanacci Grade III tumors can present formidable reconstructive challenges. They are associated with a high local recurrence rate with intralesional treatment, therefore approaches to reconstruct the wrist after en bloc resection warrant study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We asked: (1) What are the functional outcomes after en bloc resection and reconstruction of the wrist with a unipolar prosthesis in patients with Grade III GCT of the distal radius? (2) What complications occur with use of a unipolar prosthesis in these patients? (3) What are the oncologic outcomes with using en bloc resection and reconstruction with a custom unipolar wrist hemiarthroplasty for Grade III GCTs of the distal radius?
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 10 patients with Campanacci Grade III GCTs of the distal radius treated by a unipolar prosthesis after wide resection of the tumor between January 2008 and October 2013. During that period, all patients at our medical group who presented with a Grade III GCT of the distal radius were treated with wide resection and reconstruction using a custom unipolar implant. Pre- and postoperative pain at rest were assessed according to a 10-cm VAS score. The functional outcomes of the wrist were assessed using the modified Mayo wrist score, and the degenerative changes were evaluated radiographically by a new rating system based on the Knirk and Jupiter scale. We also analyzed tumor recurrence, metastases, and complications associated with the reconstruction procedure. All patients were available for followup at a mean of 52 months (range, 24-90 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the complication rate associated with prosthetic arthroplasty was relatively high (six of 10), none of our patients experienced severe complications. Two patients reported having occasional pain of the involved wrist at the time of final followup (VAS, preoperative versus postoperative: 0 versus 3; 5 versus 2, respectively). The mean modified Mayo wrist score was 68 (range, 45-90). Degenerative changes were found in three wrists (Grade 1, two patients; Grade 2, one patient). Aseptic loosening occurred in one patient and wrist subluxation occurred in two patients. Lung metastases or local tumor recurrence were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the proportion of patients who had complications and progressive degeneration with this approach, we recommend first exploring alternatives to reconstruction with custom unipolar wrist hemiarthroplasty after resection of Grade III GCTs of the distal radius, such as fibular autografting. However, this technique provides an alternative for patients with concerns regarding possible morbidity associated with autografting, and for situations when allograft is not available.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430022, China.
authors.forename: Baichuan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430022, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430022, China.
authors.forename: Jianxiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430022, China.
authors.forename: Songfeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430022, China.
authors.forename: Zhicai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430022, China. SZWpro@163.com.
authors.forename: Zengwu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D062785:Hemiarthroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010027:Osteotomy; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult