Prophylactic Orthopaedic Surgery

Abstract

We report a case of 37-years-aged male who presented asymptomatic, with unilateral proximal femoral simple bone cyst (SBCs). SBCs are cystic fluid-filled lesions encountered in proximal femur sometimes discovered serendipitously while radiologically investigating for other problems. After radiographic confirmation of the SBCs, we performed curettage and bone grafting with prophylactic internal fixation. Prophylactic osteosynthesis needs to be done in case of cystic lesions involving more than two-thirds of the diameter of the bone to prevent pathological fracture. The advantage of this combination of curettage and bone grafting with internal fixation offers more stability by providing immediate structural support to prevent pathological fracture and provides immediate postoperative rehabilitation with earlier return to normal activities. When evaluating patients with lower extremity pain, clinically mimicking sciatica, it is important that clinicians should examine the hip apart from spine since most of the cystic lesions are discovered incidentally.