Limb Salvage After Bone Cancer

Limb salvage, also called limb-sparing surgery, is a procedure that preserves as much limb function and utility as possible when removing part of the affected limb to treat bone cancer. In the past, amputation was standard procedure as a treatment for osteosarcoma and other cancers affecting the bones. Today, technological and medical advances allow surgeons to remove only the affected part of the bone, then replace the missing piece. The surgery is used in about 80 percent of soft tissue sarcoma cases.

Procedure

Surgeons remove the bone tumor or diseased section of bone along with a small amount of the healthy tissue surrounding it. They replace the section using one of several methods. A synthetic, metal replacement is called a prosthetic replacement. A graft may use bone from elsewhere in the patient’s body, called autologous transplant, or bone from a donor, called an allograft. Surgeons finish the procedure by transplanting healthy tissue to close the incision. In some cases, an oncologist will also treat the site with radiation or chemotherapy.

Follow-up Care and Therapy

The patient is monitored closely in the hospital for about a week following the limb salvage procedure. Physicians administer antibiotics, pain medication, and medication to prevent blood clots. Physical and occupational therapy are vital to regaining strength and range of motion in the limb after surgery. In the case of lower limb salvage, it may take a year or more to learn to walk again, and some patients may require orthopedic lifts. Your orthopedic surgeon will order follow-ups, typically once or twice annually, as well as annual x-rays.

If you or a loved one has osteosarcoma or another type of bone cancer that may respond well to limb salvage surgery, please call us at 972-665-6292 in Plano, 972-318-2383 in Lewisville or 972-607-9643 in Irving for more information on starting your journey toward healing.