Rotationplasty for Osteosarcoma

This can be used in cases of osteosarcoma, rotationplasty involves a partial amputation of the leg above the knee. The lower leg and foot are rotated 180 degrees, the length is adjusted, and the tibia is then joined to the proximal femur using plates and screws. The foot is positioned where the knee used to be, with the heel portion in front and the toes pointing back. The ankle now functions in place of the knee joint. The primary reason for rotationplasty is to enhance the person's mobility as a prosthesis user. Placing the ankle joint in the position of the knee creates a functional, natural knee, and the toes provide important sensory feedback to the brain.

The appearance of the limb following rotationplasty is very unusual and is a concern for many people from both a cosmetic and a psychological standpoint. Patients and their families who are considering rotationplasty should talk with other people who have had the procedure and are now prosthesis users. For many, the functional advantages quickly outweigh their concerns about appearance. Children and young adults have a lifetime in front of them, and the increased mobility and freedom that may follow rotationplasty can be a significant improvement over the use of a traditional above-knee prosthesis.