Chondrosarcoma is the second most common surgically treated primary bone sarcoma. Despite a large number of scientific papers in the literature, there is still significant controversy about diagnostics, treatment of the primary tumour, subtypes, and complications. Therefore, consensus on its day-to-day treatment decisions is needed. In January 2024, the Birmingham Orthopaedic Oncology Meeting (BOOM) attempted to gain global consensus from 300 delegates from over 50 countries. The meeting focused on these critical areas and aimed to generate consensus statements based on evidence amalgamation and expert opinion from diverse geographical regions. In parallel, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in oncological reconstructions poses unique challenges due to factors such as adjuvant treatments, large exposures, and the complexity of surgery. The meeting debated two-stage revisions, antibiotic prophylaxis, managing acute PJI in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and defining the best strategies for wound management and allograft reconstruction. The objectives of the meeting extended beyond resolving immediate controversies. It sought to foster global collaboration among specialists attending the meeting, and to encourage future research projects to address unsolved dilemmas. By highlighting areas of disagreement and promoting collaborative research endeavours, this initiative aims to enhance treatment standards and potentially improve outcomes for patients globally. This paper sets out some of the controversies and questions that were debated in the meeting.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(5):425–429.

Amputation was once widely practised for primary bone tumours of the limbs. Yet this situation has changed with limb salvage surgery becoming increasingly popular in the last 30 years. Many different techniques are now available. These include allografts, autografts, endoprostheses and allograft-prosthesis composites. This article reviews these methods, concentrating on the functional outcomes and complications that have been reported.

Background: And Aims Pathological fractures of the proximal femur due to primary bone sarcomas are difficult to treat. The aim of the study was to assess the factors determining the outcomes following pathological fractures of the proximal femur due to primary bone sarcomas.

Methods: 93 patients with a pathological fracture of the proximal femur due to primary bone sarcomas were studied. The patient, tumour and treatment factors in relation to overall survival were analysed.

Results: There were 55 male and 38 female patients. The mean age was 47 years. The diagnoses were Chondrosarcoma -34, Osteosarcoma – 21, spindle cell sarcoma – 25, Ewing’s sarcoma -13. 74 patients had a pathological fracture at diagnosis and 19 patients had a fracture after the diagnosis. 17 patients had metastases at diagnosis. 24 patients had an intracapsular fracture. Limb salvage was possible in 60 patients (65%), 18 patients had an amputation and 15 patients had palliative treatment. 27% of the patients were referred after an unplanned surgery. The mean follow up was 49 months [range 0–302]. Twenty one patients [23%] had a local recurrence -10 patients had a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, four patients had osteosarcoma and seven had spindle cell sarcoma. The overall five years survival was 37% [Ewing’s sarcoma 60%, Chondrosarcoma 57%, spindle cell sarcoma 28%, osteosarcoma 13% and dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma 0% (p-0.002)]. Metastasis at diagnosis was a significant factor (p-0.04) affecting survival.

Conclusion: We conclude that a pathological fracture of the proximal femur due to osteosarcoma and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. carry a poor prognosis.

Introduction: Malignant tumours of the foot and ankle are rare. The aim of the study was to document one of the largest series of malignant tumours affecting the foot and ankle and to assess the outcomes following limb salvage and amputation.

Methods: The study was a retrospective review of the patients with a malignant tumour of the foot and ankle. Demographic details, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes were retrieved from the electronic patient records containing information on over 20 000 patients seen over a 25 year period.

Results: Two hundred and twenty five patients had malignant tumours affecting the foot and ankle. It was common in the fifth decade (35 patients). The mean age was 46 years. The commonest diagnosis was synovial sarcoma (40 patients) followed by chondrosarcoma (23 patients) and Ewing’s sarcoma (21 patients). The mean tumour size was 5.6 cm (0.8 to 17.5 cm). 82 patients (37%) underwent an unplanned excision and 13% (29 patients) presented with metastases at diagnosis. Primary bone tumours were 28% (64 patients), soft tissue sarcomas were 62% and metastatic tumours were 8% while lymphoreticular malignancies were (1%). Limb salvage was possible in 71% (156 patients). 29% (65 patients) had a below knee amputation. 7% (15 patients) had a local recurrence. The 5 years survival was 63%. The 5 years survival for the patients who had limb salvage was 68% compared with 54% for the patients who had an amputation (p 0.03).

Conclusion: Though amputation can provide better local control, limb salvage surgery improves survival.

Human recombinant bone morphogenic protein type 7 (BMP 7) is now available commercially for clinical use. In our trauma unit it has been used since September 2001 for patients with established intractable non-unions. We present the early results.

All consecutive patients receiving BMP 7 were reviewed regularly following treatment. All patients had established non-unions previously treated with a variety of methods. The patients were assessed for clinical evidence of fracture union (using stability and pain). Treatment episodes will be categorised as failures if there is no evidence of fracture union at 1 year following BMP 7 treatment. Plain x-rays were assessed by 2 independent radiologists and categorised into: Radiological evidence of fracture union; encouraging progression towards union; little evidence of fracture healing; atrophic non-union, hypertrophic non-union.

A total of 12 separate non-union sites have been treated in 10 patients (all male) to date. The mean age of the patients at follow up was 45 years. The series included 5 tibial non-unions, 3 femoral non-unions, 3 ulna non-unions with a mean of 3.3 treatments (range 1–7 treatments) and had endured symptoms, from initial injury to treatment with BMP 7, with a mean of 8.3 years (range 2 months-10.4 years). To date, the mean follow-up is 18 weeks (range 6–48 weeks).

Currently, 2 fractures have clinical & radiological union, 2 treatments have failed (implant failure and patient opted for amputation), 3 fractures are below 3months follow up, 5 fractures have a radiological classification as “encouraging” progression towards of union ( 4 with clinical union).

In a very difficult treatment group, we have encouraging early clinical results. Radiological evidence to compare to initial clinical results will be available shortly.