We are thrilled to announce that the Amsterdam UMC Sarcoma Team has received two grants to support their research on the long-term outcomes of rotationplasty. In December and January, they were awarded €35,000 from the JKF Kinderfonds and €10,000 from VIOZ (Stichting Vrienden Integrale Oncologische Zorg), enabling them to further investigate the impact of this procedure over time.

Rotationplasty is a unique reconstructive procedure, primarily performed in children and young adolescents with bone sarcomas who are not candidates for limb-sparing surgery. Although the functional outcomes are often good, long-term research is crucial to provide better insights into patient experiences, gait function, degenerative diseases, and overall quality of life.

This research aims to:

  1. Support new patients (children and young adolescents with bone tumors) in making an informed decision between above-knee amputation and rotationplasty.
  2. Help patients who have undergone rotationplasty to better understand their future functional development, optimize mobility, and improve prosthetic design through insights into gait patterns and energy expenditure.
  3. Enhance clinician-patient communication, allowing healthcare providers to offer better counseling and guidance, ultimately strengthening the doctor-patient relationship.
  4. Drive innovation in surgical techniques, external prosthesis development, and rehabilitation strategies to enhance long-term functionality, improve mobility, and ensure greater patient satisfaction.

These findings will also benefit patients undergoing rotationplasty for other reasons, such as trauma, failed endoprostheses, or proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD).

They have said to be incredibly grateful for the generous support of JKF Kinderfonds and VIOZ and look forward to contributing valuable knowledge that will improve patient care and treatment strategies in this field.