Rehabilitation After Sarcoma Cancer Treatment

Rehabilitation is an important part of the comprehensive care provided for patients being treated for musculoskeletal malignancies. The Rehabilitation Program focuses on improving quality of life and functional independence in mobility, safety and activities of daily living after cancer treatment. The rehabilitation team is led by physicians with specialized training in physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as by experienced physical and occupational therapists.

Rehabilitation includes inpatient and outpatient, depending on the functional needs of the individual. 

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Some patients who are not physically ready to return home after initial treatment undergo comprehensive, intensive inpatient rehabilitation led physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, while continuing to be followed by surgeons and oncologists for wound care, further cancer treatment planning and for various medical conditions. 

Outpatient Sarcoma Recovery Process

The functional recovery process continues in an outpatient setting in our Clinical Cancer Center. Outpatient rehabilitation includes treatment for general fatigue related to radiation and chemotherapy, musculoskeletal pain, soft tissue fibrosis and associated decreased range of motion in the joints, as well as lymphedema (swelling of tissue due to impaired lymphatic flow) and other conditions impacting everyday function.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, along with physical and occupational therapists, create individualized rehabilitation plans that address specific patient needs. Outpatient rehabilitation treatment incorporates medications, physical modalities, orthotics, prosthetics (as needed), education on skin care and a home exercise program.