| Abstract: |
We determined the energy cost during gait by measuring the oxygen consumption of twenty-six patients after treatment for osteosarcoma about the knee. Fourteen had had an en block resection of the distal end of the femur and proximal end of the tibial followed by segmental replacement with a custom-made knee prosthesis and twelve had had an above-the-knee amputation followed by fitting with an artificial limb. Comparisons of free-walking velocity, oxygen consumption per meter traveled, and per cent of maximum aerobic capacity used during walking demonstrated that patients with resection and prosthetic knee replacement had a lower energy cost during gait. Currently, segmental knee replacement for patients with a bone tumor about the knee joint is being performed more frequently. The results of this study demonstrate that, in terms of energy expenditure during gait, compared with an above-the-knee amputation a custom-made segmental replacement provides superior function, a factor to be considered when making a decision as to surgical treatment. |
