Limb Salvage/ Total Knee Replacement Complications

lanni
lanni Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Bone Cancers #1
Hello Everyone!

I just stumbled upon this page through a tv commercial, it's a good thing I was paying attention. Well let me quickly introduce myself. My name is Leeann, I'm 20 years old, and I'm also a survivor of osteosarcoma. I was diagnosed when I was 11 and recieved chemo and underwent a limb salvage surgery. I feel extremely lucky that I have had no reaccurance of cancer, and have now been cancer-free for almost 9 years now!

However I have had numerous "mechanical" problems and a couple surgeries on my knee after the limb salvage. From the time that I was about 14-16 I was very active and not really held back by any physical limitations. However for the last 3-4 years my knee has gotten progressively worse (which really is no suprise since I've had it nearly 10 years). I had a couple surgeries to lengthen my knee, since I was only 11 at the time of diagnosis. And the last time I saw my doctor I discovered that the lengthing had actually colapsed, so for the last year+ I've been dealing with a significant difference in length between my legs and a lot of chronic pain. Right surgery is inevitable (no matter how much I ignore it, I know it will come sooner or later). I'm just curious as to talk to someone with a similar condition. I would love to hear how other limb salvages have lasted and what maintainace surgeries have been done? I really fear having another surgery because I'm afraid of getting an infection (and whenever I talk to my doctor, he is never really optimistic- must be a requirement of doctors!). I seem to be in the process of slowly accepting that chance that I may become an amputee, to prepare myself for the worse. I almost wonder if all I really need is just a second opinion.

Please contact me if you have any input on this dillema. Feel free to email me: leeann@triton.nu

-Leeann

Comments

  • berni
    berni Member Posts: 2
    #2
    Hi, Ianni,
    My husband underwent limb salvage/total knee replacement last year. He was diagnosed with Chrondrosarcoma. They had to remove some of the lower femour, the knee and the top of his tibia. I don't know if this is normal but he is still experiencing quite a bit of pain. Do you deal with pain every day? He takes morphine but it still doesn't take the pain away. We have no idea if the prosthetic is healing right or if that pain is normal to have. Since you have been through this situation maybe you can give me some input. How many surgeries have you had? Do you take pain killers? Can you live a normal life? Do you have full range of motion? Can you run, play sports?
    My husband can't do none of those things. He walks with a limp.The doctors had to remove quite a bit of muscle, which limits his rage of motion.
    My concern is the pain?
    Could you give me some input on this.
    Oh, and by the way my name is berni, My husband and I have been married for 1 year he was diagnosed 3 months after we were married. He is 28 and I am 24. Thanks for your help

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