New advances and concepts in amputee management after treatment for bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.

Overview

Amputation is still necessary to achieve disease-free margins in some patients with osteogenic sarcoma. Improving the quality of life for this largely young patient population has become increasingly important considering the dramatic increase in their survival rate. A multidisciplinary approach should include prosthetic devices that are comfortable and lightweight, and produce an energy-efficient gait, an aggressive postoperative rehabilitation, and an objective evaluation of progress. This approach will help improve the high net energy expenditure of ambulation and the asymmetrical stance time experienced by this group of individuals and allow them to gain equal status in society.