Complex Limb Reconstruction at the Penn Orthoplastic Limb Salvage Center
As the only program of its kind in the nation, The Penn Orthoplastic Limb Salvage Center provides skilled microsurgical and complex fracture expertise for patients that are at high risk of limb amputation or in need of functional limb restoration.
Limb salvage surgery, also called limb sparing surgery, is a surgical approach designed to prevent amputation. The primary goal of limb salvage is to restore or improve function in the traumatized limb and facilitate the return to normal life. The team also takes extensive steps to address aesthetics concerns by minimizing post traumatic scars and contour deformity.
At Penn, we combine the strategic combination of microvascular surgery and skeletal stabilization — among other complex procedures — to achieve this goal.
There are certain types of fractures that may put a patient at risk for amputation. These include:
- Open fractures
- Fractures with severe soft tissue compromise
- Fractures with severe compromise of the bony architecture
- Fractures with extremely poor or non-salvageable blood supply
Penn's limb sparing surgeons will attempt to salvage most extremities, open wounds, and fractures in a shared-decision making model with patients and their families. This means you or your loved one will understand the injury, its effects, the surgical process and rehabilitation, and together with your medical team, make the decision that offers the best outcome.
In This Section
The surgeons of the Penn Orthoplastic Limb Salvage Center utilize advanced techniques and cutting edge technology in limb salvage reconstruction and treatment options.
Stories of patients' experiences with the Penn Orthoplastic Limb Salvage Centers.
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