No abstract

Osteonecrosis of the medial tibial plateau is characterized by acute pain on the medial aspect of the knee. Progression can lead to articular collapse and requires early diagnosis and treatment. We studied seven patients affected of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the tibial plateau. The mean age was 62 years and the mean follow-up 42 months. We performed roentgenograms in all patients, bone scans in three patients and magnetic resonance image (MRI) in five. MRI shows T1-weighted low-intensity signal and T2-weighted high-intensity signal with a surrounding area of intermediate low-intensity signal. An increased focal uptake was seen at bone scan. Histological findings showed necrotic bone with empty lacunae. Surgical treatment consisted of tibial subchondral drilling in four patients-two of them by failure of conservative treatment, and a total knee arthroplasty in other two. One patient had a satisfactory evolution with conservative treatment. Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the tibial plateau must be considered in elderly patients with knee pain over the medial tibial plateau. At early stages, decompression with tibial drilling must be considered. This procedure allows a prompt and effective relief of symptoms.

The authors present their experience over the last 20 years in limb salvage procedures of a consecutive series of 40 children under 10 years of age (range 2-10 years) with bone sarcomas. Nineteen were osteogenic sarcomas and 21 were Ewing sarcomas. Only one case, located in the distal phalanx of the toe, was treated by straightforward amputation. Intercalary allografts and Canadell's technique were used to preserve joints whenever possible, and prosthesis or osteoarticular allografts were used when the joint surface was involved. Survival rate in this series was 75%. There were four local recurrences. At the last follow-up (mean 11.2 years, range 5-19 years postop), 90% of the patients preserved their limbs. Eighty percent of the authors' results were excellent or good according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scale. Limb salvage is a real possibility even in young children with bone sarcomas. The age of the patient itself is not a contraindication for limb salvage.