Locomotive syndrome in cancer patients: a new role of orthopaedic surgeons as a part of comprehensive cancer care
Sub-specialisation in medical care has lead to great benefits for patients but also causes problems when loss of skills and litigation anxiety results in non-availability of essential care. This is especially true for orthopaedic surgeons who have almost completely removed themselves from cancer care with all patients being referred to a small group of sub-specialists.
Cancer patients frequently have need of orthopaedic surgery when fractures occur either as a result of bone metastasis or osteoporosis. There are far too many cases for sub-specialty referral but many general orthopaedic surgeons are loath to accept cancer patients.
This article describes the current situation in Japan, which is the first super-aged society. People in Japan have long lives and the birth rate is low. In 2016 the number of new cancer cases exceeded one million far more than the number of newborn. Immobility due to failure to properly manage fractures is called the “Locomotive syndrome”. Because of the demographic this problem gets worse every year and will soon apply to most advanced economies.
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