Knee joint reconstruction with preservation of the meniscus after resection of recurrent giant cell tumors of the proximal tibia

Objective: To evaluate knee joint reconstruction by preserving the meniscus and reconstructing the tibial plateau with iliac plate autograft after resection of recurrent giant cell tumor of the proximal tibia. Methods: Resection of the recurrent giant cell tumor of one tibial condyle was performed in 9 cases (7 lateral and 2 medial condyle). The meniscus of the affected side was preserved and the tibial plateau was successfully reconstructed with iliac plate. Results : The follow up period was 24 to 57 months . Only one case suffered recurrence and received artificial knee joint replacement. No collapse in the reconstructed tibial plateau was seen and the healing of autograft was satisfactory. The function of knee joint in flexion and extension restored to normal, without instability or joint pain. Conclusion: Under the precondition that the tumor should be thoroughly resected, the normal anatomic structures of the knee joint can been preserved or restored as much as possible by the described method which can be used as a new selective procedure in reconstructing knee joint after tumor resection of the proximal tibia.