REHAB GUIDE FOLLOWING LIMB SPARING SURGERY FOR OSTEOSARCOMA
REHAB GUIDE FOLLOWING LIMB SPARING SURGERY FOR OSTEOSARCOMA ODU PHYSICAL THERAPY
Days 1 -5 after Surgery • Resting cast/splint for 3 days • Moving from bed to armchair 2 -3 days post-op • Quad sets to facilitate improving knee strength • Ankle pumps to prevent blood clots and improve circulation
Exercises • Quad Sets • Tighten muscles in the front of your thigh then push your knee down into the towel • Ankle Pumps • Rock foot both forward and backwards
5 days post-op until discharge • Walking PWB/NWB with walker/crutches for 6 weeks • Knee immobilizer • Peroneal splint/shoe lift as needed • Knee muscle strengthening: start with assisted active exercises while laying down or seated (using slings, pullies, or springs without weightlifting for the first few weeks) • Begin climbing stairs with PT • Electro-stimulation if needed to help activate quads
Exercises • Assisted Heel Slides Using a strap (not pictured), slide your heel on the surface towards your butt then return to starting position • Assisted Straight Leg Raise • Using a strap (not pictured), lift your leg straight up then slowly return to starting position
Approx 2 -6 weeks post-op • After discharge from hospital: • Start gradually increasing weight-bearing status while walking as tolerated • Stop use of knee immobilizer • Begin standing exercises for improving knee strength • Once sutures are removed, begin scar massage
Exercises • Standing Hip Abduction • With support, lift one leg out to the side while keeping toes pointing forward • Standing Knee Extension • Tighten muscles in front of the thigh and push knee back towards towel
Exercises • Forward Step Ups • Wall Slides • Step up with involved leg • Keep legs shoulder-width apart. first. Step down with non Slowly slide down wall to ~45 -involved leg first. degree angle and be sure your knees do not go in front of your toes. Then slide back up the wall
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