total femur replacement

snoonie68
snoonie68 Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Bone Cancers #1
My husband is 38 and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May. He is set to have a total femur replacement (knee, femur, hip) in August. Is there any one out there that has had this surgery with success?
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Comments

  • rwebb
    rwebb Member Posts: 7
    #2
    Hi snoonie, sorry to hear about your husband. I had partial femur replacement and chemo 3 years ago with success - no sign of recurrance since then. I was 33 at the time. If you have more questions I would be more than glad to share what I know. Post here or email me at rwebb3@yahoo.com
  • lacoder
    lacoder Member Posts: 2
    #3
    My fiance' who's 33 had a partial femur and complete knee replacement a little over a year ago. The surgery went great and he's able to walk with a barely noticeable limp. He's currently undergoing chemotherapy for nodules that showed up on his lungs back in January. Good luck with the surgery and recovery.
  • char1970
    char1970 Member Posts: 17
    #4
    hey snoonie, sorry to hear about your hubby. i was dx'd 5/1996 and have been cancer free for almost 8 yrs. i had my patella and part of femur replaced and a TKR. if you'd like to chat you can email me at char1970@nycap.rr.com. wishing you both the best.
  • prettycece
    prettycece Member Posts: 2
    #5
    rwebb said:

    Hi snoonie, sorry to hear about your husband. I had partial femur replacement and chemo 3 years ago with success - no sign of recurrance since then. I was 33 at the time. If you have more questions I would be more than glad to share what I know. Post here or email me at rwebb3@yahoo.com

    Hi, Just found this message board, I hope his surgery went ok...I also had a partial femur replaced 20 months ago and walking fine. You can e-mail me at cmperron@msn.com
  • ira
    ira Member Posts: 4
    #6
    char1970 said:

    hey snoonie, sorry to hear about your hubby. i was dx'd 5/1996 and have been cancer free for almost 8 yrs. i had my patella and part of femur replaced and a TKR. if you'd like to chat you can email me at char1970@nycap.rr.com. wishing you both the best.

    Hi,
    I love to hear the stories of success, like anyone else who were diagnosed ever with cancer. I was diagnosed myself a year ago with bone lymphoma noh-hutch. I'd like to know more about femor replacement or in my case shoulder replacement surgery. Do you know where I can get it. Would share some of your experience. I noticed from your username year 1970, if you were born that year, we are exatly the same age. I'd like to know how you are doing right now?
    Thank you an advance.
    Irina
  • sandahbeth
    sandahbeth Member Posts: 2
    #7
    rwebb said:

    Hi snoonie, sorry to hear about your husband. I had partial femur replacement and chemo 3 years ago with success - no sign of recurrance since then. I was 33 at the time. If you have more questions I would be more than glad to share what I know. Post here or email me at rwebb3@yahoo.com

    Hi. I'm Sandahbeth. I need to know about total femur replacements. What level of pain? How many surgeries? What kind of heal problems and time? What kinds of complications?
  • osteosarcomasd
    osteosarcomasd Member Posts: 1
    #8
    sandahbeth said:

    Hi. I'm Sandahbeth. I need to know about total femur replacements. What level of pain? How many surgeries? What kind of heal problems and time? What kinds of complications?

    i have just had a total femur replacement. i had a reoccurance after 16 years. my surgery 16 years ago was a limb salvage surgery. in april, they found a soft tissue mass which has osteosarcoma origins. please provide me with your email address and i will give you more info. thanks!
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #9
    sandahbeth said:

    Hi. I'm Sandahbeth. I need to know about total femur replacements. What level of pain? How many surgeries? What kind of heal problems and time? What kinds of complications?

    hi: My son just had a total femur, knee and partial tibial replacement. His surgery took 3-4 hours, 58 staples and he was out of bed in two days. He was partial weight bearing in four and it has been two weeks and he can stand, walk a short distance with 70% weight bearing. He said that he had more pain from the osteosarcoma tumor than the surgery. You can see his surgery photos at www.caringbridge.org/visit/zackstuck. Go to the links page then to the community photo web link.
  • lilsweetiepie
    lilsweetiepie Member Posts: 3
    #10
    Hi I am 14 and was diagnosed with bone cancer in my femur in June 2003. In December of 2003 I got a total femur replacement (femur, knee, hip) I was the second or third perosn in the U.S. to get the total femur replacement with a specific prosethesis. I was scared because what a big surgery it is and my surgeon had never performed that specific surgery before. It is November now, I started out after surgery on crutches, 6 weeks after putting little weight down still with 2 crutches though. In mid Feburary-mid April I was walking with one crutch. Then I started walking with cane from end of April to end of June and then starting walking with nothing. The chemo can slow you down. I saw a physical therapist three times a week for an hour a day for 6 months and then started going down to 2 days a week and now I just go onece a month. I can walk on my own now, I have a very small limp, and trying to learn how to jog. I have restrictions but I am so happy to have my leg. From personal experience if your doctor says you need it I would recommend it, but still be aware of the dangers.
  • tfielder
    tfielder Member Posts: 1
    #11
    Could you give me information about the hospital where this procedure was performed and who the doctor was. I am searching for options. I had synovial sarcoma in 2000, it was in my right hip. I have had my hip replaced and it dislocates and is weak, I walk with a crutch. I am pregnant with my second child and want to do something with my leg after the baby is born. Any information would be helpful. Thank you so much... tfielder
  • safaritan
    safaritan Member Posts: 1
    #12
    lilsweetiepie said:

    Hi I am 14 and was diagnosed with bone cancer in my femur in June 2003. In December of 2003 I got a total femur replacement (femur, knee, hip) I was the second or third perosn in the U.S. to get the total femur replacement with a specific prosethesis. I was scared because what a big surgery it is and my surgeon had never performed that specific surgery before. It is November now, I started out after surgery on crutches, 6 weeks after putting little weight down still with 2 crutches though. In mid Feburary-mid April I was walking with one crutch. Then I started walking with cane from end of April to end of June and then starting walking with nothing. The chemo can slow you down. I saw a physical therapist three times a week for an hour a day for 6 months and then started going down to 2 days a week and now I just go onece a month. I can walk on my own now, I have a very small limp, and trying to learn how to jog. I have restrictions but I am so happy to have my leg. From personal experience if your doctor says you need it I would recommend it, but still be aware of the dangers.

    Please tell the name of the doctor & hospital where this was performed. Trying to find a solution for my 11 year old daughter w bone disease. thank you.
  • IceQueen
    IceQueen Member Posts: 1
    #13
    Hi
    I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis.
    I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma the month before my 21st birthday - I was given chemotherapy and limb salvage operation (femur/knee/partial tib replacement). The operation was successful and I was walking around without crutches within 2 months. This was 10 years ago and I've had no recurrences. In fact I've just had my annual check-up and all is looking good. Obviously I have limited movement in my knee and can only bend it around 90degrees and I'm constantly "aware" that it's there, but I now run, climb rocks and parapent for fun.
    I'm sure everything seems very bleak at the moment, but I'm living proof that people can survive this type of cancer and the operation that goes with it, and lead a "normal" life. I say "normal" because most people I know don't consider my rock climbing and throwing myself off mountains for fun "normal". I'd be more than happy to answer any questions about my surgery/chemo you or your husband may have and in the meantime I send my best regards to you and your family in what I know from first hand experience to be an awful awful time.
  • raybone
    raybone Member Posts: 5
    #14
    lilsweetiepie said:

    Hi I am 14 and was diagnosed with bone cancer in my femur in June 2003. In December of 2003 I got a total femur replacement (femur, knee, hip) I was the second or third perosn in the U.S. to get the total femur replacement with a specific prosethesis. I was scared because what a big surgery it is and my surgeon had never performed that specific surgery before. It is November now, I started out after surgery on crutches, 6 weeks after putting little weight down still with 2 crutches though. In mid Feburary-mid April I was walking with one crutch. Then I started walking with cane from end of April to end of June and then starting walking with nothing. The chemo can slow you down. I saw a physical therapist three times a week for an hour a day for 6 months and then started going down to 2 days a week and now I just go onece a month. I can walk on my own now, I have a very small limp, and trying to learn how to jog. I have restrictions but I am so happy to have my leg. From personal experience if your doctor says you need it I would recommend it, but still be aware of the dangers.

    knee,femur,hip replacement
    I had cancer in my femur. 2 rods were put in my femur , after the second one failed I had this operation on July 2,2009, I have had some therapy and seem to be cancer free at present. My knee still only works up to a certain point, I am very pleased with the operation. I would like to contact someone else that has had this procedure as I have a few questions concerning the operation. My femur knee hip are stainless steel I am 62 yrs. old. I will gladly answer questions and feel free to contact me......As another has mentioned, I am so glad to have my leg, even tho limited motion. my email is randlhagan@gmail.com I walk with a cane and get around fairly good. Anyone with anything like this and has pain I would like to talk to as to how much pain you have and other issues .
  • raybone
    raybone Member Posts: 5
    #15
    IceQueen said:

    Hi
    I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis.
    I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma the month before my 21st birthday - I was given chemotherapy and limb salvage operation (femur/knee/partial tib replacement). The operation was successful and I was walking around without crutches within 2 months. This was 10 years ago and I've had no recurrences. In fact I've just had my annual check-up and all is looking good. Obviously I have limited movement in my knee and can only bend it around 90degrees and I'm constantly "aware" that it's there, but I now run, climb rocks and parapent for fun.
    I'm sure everything seems very bleak at the moment, but I'm living proof that people can survive this type of cancer and the operation that goes with it, and lead a "normal" life. I say "normal" because most people I know don't consider my rock climbing and throwing myself off mountains for fun "normal". I'd be more than happy to answer any questions about my surgery/chemo you or your husband may have and in the meantime I send my best regards to you and your family in what I know from first hand experience to be an awful awful time.

    pain after operation
    hello I had alot of the same experiences as you. I had my surgery in July 2,2009. Everything has went pretty good. I am just concerned about the pain level that I have. I just take what is needed but that still amounts to more than some might think thatI need. reply would be appreciated

    randlhagan@gmail.com
  • sterneyland
    sterneyland Member Posts: 5
    #16
    raybone said:

    knee,femur,hip replacement
    I had cancer in my femur. 2 rods were put in my femur , after the second one failed I had this operation on July 2,2009, I have had some therapy and seem to be cancer free at present. My knee still only works up to a certain point, I am very pleased with the operation. I would like to contact someone else that has had this procedure as I have a few questions concerning the operation. My femur knee hip are stainless steel I am 62 yrs. old. I will gladly answer questions and feel free to contact me......As another has mentioned, I am so glad to have my leg, even tho limited motion. my email is randlhagan@gmail.com I walk with a cane and get around fairly good. Anyone with anything like this and has pain I would like to talk to as to how much pain you have and other issues .

    total replacement femur
    I am 71. I had kidney cancer in 1991. The kidney was removed and I had no further trouble until 3 years ago a tumour was discovered in my thigh which was treated by radiotherapy. This was not successful and a rod was fitted as the tumour eventually destroyed most of the bone.This was not a success and the tumour continued to destroy the bone. I had just started a course of Sutent in December when I discovered the possibility of a replacement femur which is a very rare procedure in UK. There are one or two other possible metastases elsewhere which are apparently inactve.

    In January 2010 I had a total replacement femur inc hip and hinged knee. I am still recovering. I understand that the difficulty is that the muscle cannot be attached to the steel femur and a lengthy period of physio and general recovery is required. There is a certain amount of pain but insufficient to require painkillers. I am wondering how long it is before it is "as good as it gets".

    I realise these are early days. The leg feels unstable and at the moment I cannot lift it but can bend it.

    I seem to be proceeding along the same course as yourself and would be interested to hear your experience. You are a little further on. I understand that I will be quite mobile eventually but may need a stick to balance. How long is "eventually"?
  • sterneyland
    sterneyland Member Posts: 5
    #17
    raybone said:

    knee,femur,hip replacement
    I had cancer in my femur. 2 rods were put in my femur , after the second one failed I had this operation on July 2,2009, I have had some therapy and seem to be cancer free at present. My knee still only works up to a certain point, I am very pleased with the operation. I would like to contact someone else that has had this procedure as I have a few questions concerning the operation. My femur knee hip are stainless steel I am 62 yrs. old. I will gladly answer questions and feel free to contact me......As another has mentioned, I am so glad to have my leg, even tho limited motion. my email is randlhagan@gmail.com I walk with a cane and get around fairly good. Anyone with anything like this and has pain I would like to talk to as to how much pain you have and other issues .

    I am unable to e-mail you as the address randlhagan.gmail keeps coming up as non-existent. I have posted on CSN as sterneyland.
  • DINOSAUR40
    DINOSAUR40 Member Posts: 2
    #18
    sterneyland said:

    total replacement femur
    I am 71. I had kidney cancer in 1991. The kidney was removed and I had no further trouble until 3 years ago a tumour was discovered in my thigh which was treated by radiotherapy. This was not successful and a rod was fitted as the tumour eventually destroyed most of the bone.This was not a success and the tumour continued to destroy the bone. I had just started a course of Sutent in December when I discovered the possibility of a replacement femur which is a very rare procedure in UK. There are one or two other possible metastases elsewhere which are apparently inactve.

    In January 2010 I had a total replacement femur inc hip and hinged knee. I am still recovering. I understand that the difficulty is that the muscle cannot be attached to the steel femur and a lengthy period of physio and general recovery is required. There is a certain amount of pain but insufficient to require painkillers. I am wondering how long it is before it is "as good as it gets".

    I realise these are early days. The leg feels unstable and at the moment I cannot lift it but can bend it.

    I seem to be proceeding along the same course as yourself and would be interested to hear your experience. You are a little further on. I understand that I will be quite mobile eventually but may need a stick to balance. How long is "eventually"?

    total femur replacement
    I see April was your last posting and was wondering how you are doing with your rehab.
    I am 70, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1991, lost one kidney and was treated with InterluekenII. Had thoracic surgery in 1999 to remove tumors from chest, and was diagnosed with tumors in the other kidney in 2003. Had 5 radio frequency ablations from 2003 to 2005, and a rod was inserted in my left femur in 2008.In August I had my other kidney removed and am on dialysis. It is now being recommended I have a total femur replacement as the tumor is progressing in the bone. My situation appears to be extremely similar to yours and I would love to hear how you are progressing and any information that may be helpful.
  • annielively
    annielively Member Posts: 1
    #19
    sandahbeth said:

    Hi. I'm Sandahbeth. I need to know about total femur replacements. What level of pain? How many surgeries? What kind of heal problems and time? What kinds of complications?

    updated information?
    I'd also like the details. There are no good resources on total femur replacements online. The last thing I found was a paper from 2005, surely things have advanced since then? Here's the link to the article I found http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/iaqsource/nih.gov/
  • sterneyland
    sterneyland Member Posts: 5
    #20
    DINOSAUR40 said:

    total femur replacement
    I see April was your last posting and was wondering how you are doing with your rehab.
    I am 70, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1991, lost one kidney and was treated with InterluekenII. Had thoracic surgery in 1999 to remove tumors from chest, and was diagnosed with tumors in the other kidney in 2003. Had 5 radio frequency ablations from 2003 to 2005, and a rod was inserted in my left femur in 2008.In August I had my other kidney removed and am on dialysis. It is now being recommended I have a total femur replacement as the tumor is progressing in the bone. My situation appears to be extremely similar to yours and I would love to hear how you are progressing and any information that may be helpful.

    total replacement femur
    I am sorry I have only now seen your message as I lost interest in the site as I received no reply from another patient.
    I can recommend the procedure which by now you will have had. It takes time to become reasonably active but I was able this summer to sail on a yacht again. If you are still interested please email me on this site. Good luck. Sterneyland
  • MI2011
    MI2011 Member Posts: 1
    #21
    raybone said:

    pain after operation
    hello I had alot of the same experiences as you. I had my surgery in July 2,2009. Everything has went pretty good. I am just concerned about the pain level that I have. I just take what is needed but that still amounts to more than some might think thatI need. reply would be appreciated

    randlhagan@gmail.com

    pain and Hospitals , Doctors
    i had 12 surgeries on my knee and femur , and there is always pain but Advil has helped me. I had a total knee and I had my last surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Mi and it was very painful for the first six months but got better. The total knee femur seems to hurt with the weather. I have found that if you have a lot of pain or your leg gets hot, feels loose or moves a little, then you may need a component fixed. My first surgery was when I was 17 yrs old and I had it at Massachusetts General Hospital under Dr. Mankin the inventor of using another person's femur knee, I had two failures, so I went to the best Hospital where my doctors who tried there at Mayo Clinic (Mayo Medical Center Rochester, MN) Dr. Sim and I had metal used. I had a break in 2008, 10years after the surgery, and I was having a deep pain in my femur area a few days prior to the break, I have been told many people who have a failure feel that same deep pain. Dr. Les of Beaumont Hospital - ROYAL Oak, MI was the Americans Best Doctors listed Cancer/ Orthopedic Surgeon , I have had no problems now three years later.

    I had allot of surgeries because I went to the Best Doctors and Hospitals, but because of my age I tired many methods to save my leg, which they did. I also had lots of failures, but not since having Dr.Les surgery, I did have Dr. Irwin of Beaumont Hospital prior to Dr. Les and he never performed any of my complex surgeries he had Dr. Les treatment. Now 20 years into this, you get used to the pains, but you always watch out for them as well. Even people for lose a limb have pain

    So this should answer questions with pain, surgery, Doctors, Hospitals, if you have any more questions let me know. Dr. Mankin did retie, but he still is doing research.

    U of M Hospital also has a good Doctor, Dr.Beirman but, I went to the best , like everyone says, I researched all the hospitals, and doctors that are dealing with bone cancer , and limb salvage. I had been doing research for 20 years, and my leg feel great,

    There is a long list of very good Hospitals and Doctors, but you have to like the doctor, don't be forced into surgery, talk to other doctors, and get the best, as its your life and body. The big C word is very stressful, I was told I had to have my leg amputated by three doctors, until I went to the best. One of the three doctors said I could hit him if he was wrong about me having to lose a limb, I called him the next day after my surgery 20 years ago, to see if he was going to keep his word of being wrong.

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