Use of three-dimensional–printed custom-made prosthesis to treat unicondylar femoral defect secondary to pathological fracture caused by giant cell tumor

Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of using a three-dimensional (3D)-printed custom-made prosthesis to repair unicondylar femoral defects. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients with a primary pathological fracture of the distal femur caused by a giant cell tumor. All patients had unicondylar defects involving the articular surface. Twelve patients were treated with a 3D-printed custom-made prosthesis to repair the unicondylar defect (3D-printed group). The other 14 patients were treated with total knee replacement (TKR group). The operation time, blood loss, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score, range of motion, local recurrence, and complications were statistically compared. Results The operation time was significantly shorter and the blood loss was significantly less in the 3D-printed group than in the TKR group. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores were significantly higher in the 3D-printed group than in the TKR group from 3 to 24 months postoperatively. The range of motion was significantly better in the 3D-printed group than in the TKR group at 6 and 9 months postoperatively. Conclusions 3D-printed custom-made prostheses provide better short-term functional results than does TKR