Objectives: To analyse functional outcome of giant cell tumor (GCT) distal radius treated with en bloc excision and reconstruction with ulnar translocation and wrist arthrodesis.

Methods: Between June 2005 and March 2008 fourteen patients of Campanacci grade 3 GCT distal radius treated with en bloc excision were reconstructed with ulnar translocation (radial transposition of ulna) and wrist arthrodesis. Seven (50%) patients had recurrent disease. Average resection length was 7.9 cm (range 5.5cm–15 cm). Twelve cases were fixed with a plate and in 2 an intramedullary nail was used. Union at both junctions was evaluated and functional assessment done using MSTS score.

Results: All 14 patients had followed up till bony union. Eleven patients were available at time of final review with an average follow up of 24.5 months (range 13–48 months). Average time for union at ulnocarpal junction was 4 months and ulnoradial junction was 5 months. No case required any additional procedure to augment union. Three cases had a soft tissue recurrence and one had pulmonary metastasis. Average range of prono supination was 80 degrees, one patient with synostosis had complete restriction of prono supination. Average MSTS Score at last follow up was 26 (86.6%).

Conclusions: Ulnar translocation provides a local vascularised bone graft to bridge the defect after excision of distal end radius tumors without the need for microvascular procedures. Unlike centralization of the ulna it retains prono supination while maintaining good hand function.