Osteosarcoma (bone tumor)

A 9-year-old boy was diagnosed with a high-grade malignant osteosarcoma (bone cancer) on his left thigh. After neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (early chemotherapy), the tumor was completely removed in a first operation and a BioXpand growth prosthesis was implanted. As the growth plate had to be removed with the tumor, progressive leg length discrepancy developed, as expected. With the new type of growth prosthesis used, it was possible to avoid a disfiguring rotationplasty and thus preserve the leg in a visually and functionally appealing way. In addition, this prosthesis enabled later bone growth.

Due to the growth in length of the opposite side, there was a left leg shortening of 8 cm at the age of 14. With the FITBONE distraction nails of the BioXpand, both the remaining upper and lower leg bones could be lengthened until they were even with the opposite side. This unique opportunity for bone to grow again despite a tumor prosthesis is only possible with a BioXpand.

Finally, the intramedullary distraction nails were removed, followed by the insertion of coated prosthesis stems, which finally grew into the newly formed bone. Despite the malignant tumor disease (osteosarcoma), the patient, who is now 18 years old, has two straight legs of equal length, both knee joints are at the same height and a tumor endoprosthesis is firmly anchored in the bone as a replacement for his own knee joint. He can walk without discomfort or aids and has almost normal joint function. With the prosthesis used here, the remaining bone and not the prosthesis was lengthened for the first time - an advantage that allows us to expect excellent quality of life and better long-term results.