What is limb salvage surgery?
What is limb salvage surgery?
Limb salvage surgery is a process that removes a cancerous tumor and some of the surrounding healthy tissue. Limb-salvage surgery aims to remove cancer from the leg, arm, or foot while preserving as much function as possible in those limbs. These surgeries are often used to save the limb after cancer has spread to bone or nearby nerves.
When is limb salvage surgery necessary?
This Surgery is necessary for a patient with a tumor that is not in the bone or for a patient with a tumor that has spread to the bone.
How do I prepare for a procedure?
The following steps will help you train for your limb surgery:
- Review your medical history with your doctor. If you have a condition affecting the health of the bone or tissue in the limb, discuss this with your surgeon before surgery.
- Make sure you have all the medications your doctor prescribes on hand and ready to take as directed by him or her.
- Make understanding for someone else to drive you home from the hospital after surgery, if necessary.
- Have someone at home waiting for you after discharge which can help monitor and care for you while recovering from surgery until you can do everything independently.
Limb salvage surgery Procedure
Limb salvage surgery is a treatment option for patients with bone cancer. The tumor is removed and replaced with a prosthetic device and/or graft material in this procedure. Limb-salvage surgery aims to save the patient’s limb by restoring its function and appearance as much as possible. Limb salvage surgery is often used for patients diagnosed with bone cancer (such as osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma) that has not spread outside the affected area.
What to expect after the surgery?
After your surgery, you will spend a few days in the hospital. A cast or brace will be placed on your leg to keep it stable and prevent further injury.
You may use crutches for a while, depending on how long you had to wait for surgery and how much damage has been done by the tumor.
Physical therapy is an essential part of this surgery because it helps maintain mobility and strength in the limb affected by cancer treatment.
It’s also essential to prevent muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass) and improve circulation in the area where the tissue was removed during surgery.
Benefits
- It can save the limb.
- It can improve the quality of life.
- It can improve function.
- It can improve mobility.
- It can improve appearance.
Types of limb salvage surgery in Waco, Tx
Limb salvage surgery is a procedure that restores blood flow to a limb damaged by trauma. It aims to save the limb and restore functionality. There are several types of limb salvage surgeries:
- Amputation (removing all or part of an arm or leg)
- Distalization (relocating the amputation site closer to the body)
- Limb lengthening (lengthening one or more bones in a shortened extremity)
Why are need limbs salvaged surgery?
Limb salvage surgery is performed to save your limb and avoid amputation. It involves removing the cancerous tissue from the affected limb and then reconstructing or rebuilding the area with healthy tissue.
It’s important to note that amputation isn’t always used as a last resort when dealing with cancerous tumors in the legs and arms; it can also be used at various stages of treatment, especially if there are signs that an incompletely removed tumor may return or spread again.
What are the risks of surgery?
It has several risks, including infection and nerve damage. Blood clots may form in the leg and travel to the lungs, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, or even sudden death. The leg might have to be amputated after surgery if it does not heal correctly or if there is significant nerve damage. The patient may also experience:
- Lack of movement
- Loss of function
- Loss of sensation in the reconstructed areas
Cost of Limb salvage surgery in Waco, Tx
Cost of Limb salvage surgery in Waco, Tx
Limb salvage surgery costs in Waco, Texas, are among the lowest in the nation. , The average cost of this surgery in Waco is between $12,000 and $14,000 per patient.
FAQS
How long is the recovery period after surgery?
Recovery time depends on the type of surgery, its extent, and overall health. A patient with limb salvage surgery can expect to be hospitalized for one or two days before returning home with a long-term care nurse. The total length of hospitalization may be longer if you have more severe injuries that require additional surgeries or complications arise during treatment.
Does initial biopsy have an impact on limb-saving surgery?
The initial biopsy is essential as it will help determine whether the tumor is likely to spread, recurring, or malignant. If you have been diagnosed with soft-tissue sarcoma, it may be necessary for your surgeon to remove tissue around the tumor and send it out for examination.
What is the success rate of limb surgery?
The success rate of this surgery depends on the type of amputation. For example, the success rate for a person with a below-the-knee amputation is about 95%.
By contrast, for people who have had an above-the-elbow or shoulder disarticulation amputation (where all or part of the arm/shoulder is removed), they will walk again is less than 50%.
Who is the best candidate for an expandable prosthesis?
To be a good candidate for an expandable prosthesis, you should:
- Be at least 12 years old.
- Have good general health.
- Be able to tolerate the prosthesis.
- Be able to use the prosthesis effectively, including bending it and moving it in place (for example, walking).
- Be able to care for your arm with the expandable prosthesis on (for example, brushing teeth).
Is limb-salvage surgery the best option for my child?
Limb-salvage surgery is only recommended for children who can tolerate the recovery process, which can be long and difficult.
As in any surgery, there are risks. Your child may have an allergic response to anesthesia that could be life-threatening. The limb could be removed during the operation and not be able to be salvaged at all.
Best Doctor and Clinic to treat Limb Salvage Surgery in Waco, TX
Best Doctor and Clinic to treat Limb Salvage Surgery in Waco, TX
Waco Heart and Vascular is one of Waco, Texas’s most reputable and well-known medical clinics. We offer various medical services, but they are most notable for their limb salvage surgery in Waco, Tx. This surgery is often used to save a limb damaged by an accident or illness. Waco Heart and Vascular has a team of highly skilled and experienced surgeons who can perform this type of surgery successfully.
If you’re in Waco, TX, and need limb salvage surgery, you should go to the best doctor you can find. Dr. Nicole Reid is the best doctor to treat this type of surgery, and She has a lot of experience with it. She’s the best doctor for the job, and he’ll ensure you can keep your limb.
