This study looked at how doctors rebuild the top of the shin bone after removing tumors. They examined nearly three thousand patients who received different types of replacements or grafts. The team tracked how well these repairs worked over many years, with an average follow-up time of over seven years. They also checked how well the knee could straighten after surgery.
Prosthetic replacements showed the best results for avoiding complications. These metal implants had a much lower rate of problems compared to biological options like bone grafts. The biological methods failed more often because the bone did not hold together as well over time. Despite this, the metal implants and biological grafts lasted a similar amount of time in the body.
The study found that how the tendon is reattached matters a lot. Simply tying the tendon directly to the metal implant led to worse knee movement. Using synthetic materials or biological tissue to help connect the tendon worked much better. Doctors should choose the best method for each patient to get the best possible function.