Post-Surgery
After the initial implant surgery, a child will typically undergo physical therapy every day for the first few weeks, then 2-3 times a week as needed. Adjuvant therapy (such as chemotherapy) is usually given for six months following surgery, although this may vary by hospital. Best of all, a child who has a REPIPHYSIS® prosthesis will not have to undergo more traumatic surgeries throughout his or her growing years. Instead, a simple expansion procedure will be performed periodically to keep up with the growth of the child's other limb. The procedure can be performed in about half an hour, and the child is generally able to walk unassisted immediately afterwards.
An expansion procedure consists of placing a ring on the outside of the child's limb and flipping a switch to create an electromagnetic field around the implant. This unlocks the mechanism, which releases the spring and allows the endoprostheses to grow inside the child. If appropriate, the child is awake throughout the procedure and in a comfortable, relaxed position.
Each activation of the electromagnetic field lasts for 20 seconds, after which a fluoroscopic image is taken to measure the amount of lengthening. Multiple activations may be performed during each expansion procedure. The child may experience pain, a stretching feeling, or general discomfort, but ice packs can be given to relieve these symptoms.
The total number of expansion procedures that the child will undergo depends on the amount of growth he or she has remaining. Once growth stops, the REPIPHYSIS® Implant will be replaced with a modular endoprosthesis. The GUARDIAN® Limb Salvage System is an excellent choice for years of continued success.
