Bone grafting unnecessary in the treatment of enchondromas in the hand

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with enchondromas in the hand skeleton had simple curettage of the tumor without bone grafting. The patients were followed-up with a radiologic examination mean six years (range from 0.5 to 16 years) after operation. Results were classified according to the amount of new bone formed in the cavity left after curettage. Results in fifteen patients with excellent bone formation were classified as grade one, in nine patients with good bone formation as grade two, and in four patients with scanty bone formation as grade three. There were no patients without new bone formation (grade four), nor were there any recurrences or postoperative fractures in this series. We conclude that simple curettage without bone grafting is a safe and effective treatment of enchondromas in the hand.