Limb Preservation in Recurrent Giant Cell Tumour of Distal End of Radius with Fibular Graft Fracture: Role of Ulnocarpal Arthrodesis

Giant cell tumors of distal radius are locally aggressive tumors with a high rate of recurrence. Though surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, reconstruction remains a challenge in cases of recurrence. Recurrences of GCT in autogenous fibular grafts have been rarely reported and pathological fractures through such grafts are even rarer. Ulnocarpal arthrodesis has never been described as a limb preservation procedure in such a recurrent lesion in distal radius with pathological fracture through a well incorporated fibular graft. A case of pathological fracture in a well incorporated autogenous non-vascularized fibular bone graft in recurrent GCT of distal radius and its successful management with ulnocarpal arthrodesis is reported. In such a scenario where other reconstructive options like allograft or prosthetic reconstructions are not likely to succeed, ulnocarpal arthrodesis may be considered as a salvage procedure.