# Fourteen-Year Follow-Up of a Patient With a Hydroxyapatite Ceramic Matrix Reconstruction of and a Bone Graft for a Critical-Size Cortical Bone Defect: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A 42-year-old man with a bone tumor had successful long-term recovery using a ceramic implant and bone grafts, showing the implant can become living bone over time.

## Contribution

Demonstrates long-term success of ceramic matrices in converting into living bone in a critical-size defect.

## Key findings

- The ceramic hemicylinders integrated into living bone over 14 years.
- The reconstruction maintained structural integrity and function without complications.
- The bone grafts and ceramic matrix worked together to regenerate the femur.

## Abstract

A 42-year-old man diagnosed with chondrosarcoma of the proximal femur underwent limb salvage by compartmental excision of the lesion and reconstruction with a custom-made hip prosthesis. The critical-size defect in the proximal femur was reconstructed with ceramic hemicylinders that were tied in place with sutures and augmented with two fibular strut grafts and an autologous cancellous iliac crest bone graft. A fourteen-year follow-up of the same case revealed that substituted ceramic matrices can be converted into dynamic, metabolically active, living bone.