Work ability and physical activity after major bone sarcoma resection and reconstruction with tumour prosthesis of the lower extremities. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate work ability, activity limitations and physical activity in adults that had gone through major bone sarcoma resection and reconstruction surgery in hip and knee.

Materials and methods

Twenty patients, of 72 enrolled, and 20 controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Work Ability Index scores (general [0–10 points], physical and mental [1–5 points]), the Patient Specific Functional Scale (0–10 points), step counts and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were assessed. Adjusted and unadjusted general linear models were applied.

Results

The patients had a mean age of 43 (range, 20–71) years and were assessed 7 years (range, 2–12) after surgery (proximal femoral n = 9, distal femoral n = 7, proximal tibia n = 4). Compared with controls, patients had lower general work ability (mean difference [95%CI], −1.3 points [−2.1, −0.5]) and work ability in relation to physical demands at work (−1.4 points [−2.0, −0.8]). The patients reported higher severities of activity limitation (−6.7 points [−7.9, −5.4]). There were no between-group differences in step counts or IPAQ-scores.

Conclusion

Despite similar levels of physical activity, patients showed poorer work ability and severe activity limitation. Post-operative rehabilitation in patients of the working-age population should include assessments of work ability and activities important to the individual.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Adults that have gone through resection and reconstruction surgery following bone sarcoma in lower extremity show clinically relevant reductions in work ability and self-selected activities

• To tailor post-operative rehabilitation at short and long term, initial assessment and monitoring should include work ability and activities important to the individual patient.

Keywords:

• Bone tumour
• bone sarcoma
• limb-sparing surgery
• work ability
• physical activity
• physical function

Ethical approval

Approvals from the Danish Data Protection Agency (VD-2018-20, 6594) and the Capital Regional Committee on Health Research Ethics (H-18032141) were obtained prior to inclusion.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Vissing Fonden, Aalborg, Denmark, under Grant [grant number 85969]. The funding source had no involvement in the conduct of research or preparation of the article.