Does the extent of bone defects affect the time to reach full weight-bearing after treatment with the Masquelet technique?

Methodology

In a consecutive retrospective analysis of 190 patients treated with the Masquelet technique at the BG Klinikum Hamburg from January 2012 to January 2022, subgroup analysis for defect-specific features such as the extent and morphology of the defect were recorded, and their influence on the time to reach full weight-bearing of the affected limb was investigated.

Results and conclusion

A total of 217 defects were treated in 190 patients using the Masquelet technique. 70 % of all defects were in the tibia, followed by 22 % in the femur and only about 7 % in the upper extremity. The average length of all defects was 58 mm (+/- 31 mm), with the largest defect measuring 180 mm and the smallest measuring 20 mm. 89 % of the patients achieved full weight-bearing at the end of therapy. The average time from initiation of therapy to reaching safe full weight-bearing was 589 days. There was a significant correlation between defect length and time to reach full weight-bearing (p = 0.0134). These results could serve as a basis for creating a score for prognostics and evaluation of bone healing after treatment with the Masquelet technique. Additionally, the results could help guide indications for secondary stabilization using internal fixation.