Limb Salvage Treatment and Surgery

Limb Salvage Surgery

Limb salvage surgery (also referred to as limb-sparing) is a procedure that is done to try to save a limb that has been damaged, usually by injury or disease, in order to avoid the need for amputation. The goal of limb salvage surgery is to restore function and improve the patient's quality of life while also avoiding the complications that can come with amputation.

There are many different types of limb salvage surgery, and the specific procedure used will depend on the nature and location of the damage to the limb. Some common types of limb salvage surgery include:

Revascularization: reestablishing blood flow to the limb.
Bone grafting: using bone from another part of the body or a donor to repair damaged bone.
Reconstructive surgery: rebuilding the limb using artificial materials or other methods.

Limb salvage surgery is beneficial in most cases; however, it can have higher complication rates than amputations and may require additional surgeries in the future. Choosing between limb salvage surgery or amputation can be an extremely difficult decision for patients. Your surgical team will work closely with you to determine the best course of action based on your individual risk of consequences, the likelihood of preserving functionality, and possible psychological implications.

What to Expect

Before a limb salvage surgery, your surgeon will consult with you to discuss the details of the procedure, including possible risks and instructions to follow before and after surgery. Your surgeon will likely also run pre-operative tests to evaluate your heart and lungs.

Your surgeon may deploy various surgical techniques during a limb salvage surgery, including harvesting flaps and grafts from other places on the body to transfer to the affected limb. Limb salvage surgeries are typically performed through two main methods:

Allografting is the process of joining tissues and cells from another area in one’s body to the affected area, or from another person.

Prosthesis is the process of replacing an affected area with an artificial body part, called a prosthetic.

The goal for your surgical team is to restore both form and function to the affected area whenever possible. Some of the techniques are relatively quick and simple, while others are more complex, involving microsurgical techniques that may take many hours to perform. Your doctor will give you more detailed information on the surgical techniques and how long the surgery should take based on your individual injury.

After the Procedure

Most patients remain in the hospital for two to three days or longer after surgery. You will also have a rehabilitation team to support you during that time. The team will likely consist of a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a social worker. Their goal will be to provide advice and support in conjunction with exercises and plans to strengthen your muscles.

Rehabilitation following a limb salvage surgery can take time. Wounds can heal in about two weeks, but recovery can take weeks or even months if muscles, nerves, or bones are affected. Nerve endings grow very slowly, at a rate of about 1mm per day, and it can take up to a year for nerve recovery to occur. Your surgeon will provide more detailed instructions on what to expect after your procedure and during your recovery period.

Take care to follow your doctor’s instructions and lean on the rehabilitation team for recovery support. During this time, it’s also important to monitor and communicate if you are feeling ill, such as having a fever, feeling any warmth or redness around the wound, or noticing any continued discharge.

Many patients can return to normal activities within four to six weeks of a limb salvage. This includes driving, returning to work, and performing regular daily tasks around the house. However, it is also important to communicate to your doctor if there are any circumstances that may make recovery challenging, such as living alone. In these cases, your rehabilitation team can help make arrangements for at-home care.

Risks & Side Effects

As with any surgery, there is always the potential for risks or undesirable complications. In some cases, the complications that result may require additional surgical procedures to resolve. Possible complications of limb salvage surgery include:

Infection
Allograft nonunion (complication of joining the host bone to the donor bone)
Allograft fracture (structural fracture of the bones)
Prosthesis fracture (fracture of the artificial body part)
Prosthesis loosening and device failure (loosening and general failure of the artificial body part)

Am I a candidate?

Whether or not you are a candidate for limb salvage surgery depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the damage to your limb, your overall health and medical history, and your goals for treatment. It is important to consult with a qualified surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for your specific situation. They will be able to assess your condition and provide you with more information about whether limb salvage surgery is an appropriate option for you. General qualifications that position some candidates for a more successful limb salvage surgery than others include:

Under the age of 65
Healthy weight
Good overall health
Few or no comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure)
Able to withstand a potentially lengthy surgical process

Our Surgeons

Our surgeons are renowned experts in the cutting-edge techniques used to address the complexities of limb salvage surgery. By incorporating orthopedic, neurologic, and rehabilitation doctors in a multidisciplinary approach to healing, we provide superior outcomes for our patients.

Physician

Ajul Shah

MD, FACS

Patient Success Stories

At the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, we offer hope for individuals faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to salvage a limb. Find out what life can look like after a limb salvage surgery.

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The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction makes getting specialized, world-class care as accessible and convenient as possible. We diagnose and treat limb injuries and numerous other conditions at the following locations:

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Limb salvage surgery should be addressed quickly, so don’t delay. Schedule your appointment with a limb salvage specialist immediately to learn more about your treatment options.

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