Rehabilitation considerations for a patient with external hemipelvectomy and hemisacrectomy for recurrent soft tissue pelvic sarcoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: External hemipelvectomy (EHP) is an uncommon procedure involving surgical amputation of the lower extremity and hemipelvis. Soft tissue sarcomas of the pelvis are rare and accompanied by a high risk of disease progression after surgical intervention. The purpose of this case report is to describe the rehabilitation considerations and importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve functional goals to allow discharge with improved independence and decreased caregiver burden.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 58-year-old Caucasian male patient underwent a hemipelvectomy and hemisacrectomy for treatment of a recurrent pelvic soft tissue sarcoma following 4 months of bed confinement secondary to pain and weakness of the involved lower extremity. This report outlines the physical therapy interventions during 3 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that continuous interdisciplinary care of a complex patient with EHP and hemisacrectomy contributes to significant improvement in functional mobility exceeding prior level of function. This case is particularly interesting because in addition to having a rare diagnosis and undergoing an uncommon surgical procedure, this patient was confined to bed for 4 months prior to surgical intervention, and thus began rehabilitation with a baseline of limited functional mobility and high caregiver burden.