No local recurrence of enchondroma after curettage and plaster filling.

INTRODUCTION: The most common treatment of enchondromas is curettage (with or without adjuvant therapy) followed by cancellous bone grafting. To avoid donor-site morbidity of the iliac crest, we applied plaster of Paris as a bone defect filler after curettage of enchondromas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 19 enchondromas of the hand and foot in 19 patients (mean age 40 years, range 21-79 years) with curettage and filling of the cavity with sterile plaster of Paris (calcium sulphate/phosphate) tablets. RESULTS: The diagnosis was histologically confirmed in all cases. After a mean follow-up of 53 months (range 15-139 months), the mean functional Muskuloskeletal Tumor Society Score was 29.1 points (97%; range 28-30). There were no local recurrences although adjuvant therapy was not utilized. CONCLUSION: Plaster of Paris appears safe and effective as a bone-filling substance after curettage of enchondroma.

Distal tuberosity osteotomy in open wedge high tibial osteotomy can prevent patella infera: a new technique.

To prevent patella infera in open wedge high tibial osteotomy, a new operation technique was developed. Instead of a proximal tibial tuberosity osteotomy, a distal osteotomy was performed and the tuberosity was fixed with one screw to the tibia. Initial experience in 17 patients was evaluated and compared with results of 20 patients with open wedge high tibial osteotomy with proximal tuberosity osteotomy. Distal tuberosity osteotomy in open wedge high tibial osteotomy appears effective in preventing patella infera.