Ambulation Recovery After Surgery for Metastases to the Femur

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ambulation recovery after surgery for femur metastases has significant implications for not only the patient's quality of life but also administration of further cancer treatment. Thus, identification of preoperative predictors of ambulation recovery is necessary to set appropriate expectations and guide treatment. This study aimed to assess ambulation recovery rate and identify predictors of ambulation recovery in patients undergoing surgery for femur metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 244 patients who underwent surgery for femur metastases at our institution were reviewed. Patients were considered ambulatory if they were able to walk independently or walk with aids and nonambulatory if they were wheelchair bound or bedridden. The following potential clinicopathologic factors that might predict postoperative ambulation recovery were evaluated: premorbid general status, cancer burden, and local factors. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients (68%) regained ambulatory status postoperatively. A multivariate analysis revealed poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (odds ratio [OR], 5.327; p < .001) and nonambulatory premorbid ambulatory status (OR, 7.459; p < .001) as independent predictors of poor ambulation recovery after surgery for femur metastases. Postoperative ambulatory status was significantly associated with postoperative survival time (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Postoperative ambulation recovery rate in our cohort was 68%. Premorbid ambulatory status and ECOG performance status are predictors of ambulation recovery in patients undergoing surgery for femur metastases. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Postoperative ambulation recovery rate in this cohort was 68%. Premorbid ambulatory status and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status are predictors of ambulation recovery in patients undergoing surgery for femur metastases.