Ask the sarcoma team at the hospital where you are going to have your treatment to refer you to the relevant services.

It’s generally good to keep yourself as mobile and strong as possible before surgery to help make a smooth recovery. However, you may be advised to avoid certain movements or not to bear weight through their limb.

As surgery for a sarcoma could involve almost any part of the body, it is difficult to give an exact list of what the rehabilitation may include, but below are some ideas that you may like to consider in advance of your surgery, so that you are prepared:

• Walking aids e.g. elbow crutches or a walking stick
• Home exercise programme to regain the movement in your limbs and increase your muscle strength
• Advice on preventing stiffness and swelling in your joints and limbs
• Connective tissue massage may help with scar healing and prevent soft tissue tightness, once your wound has healed
• Physiotherapy can usually be given in the home or in an out-patient department, but sometimes it is necessary to have intensive physiotherapy as an in-patient for a short period to regain function after the surgery
• Special equipment to help you around the home

If you have surgery followed by radiotherapy, there is a short ‘window of opportunity’ before radiotherapy begins to build movement and muscle strength.

Movement in a joint can usually be maintained with daily stretching. Your physiotherapist will teach you exercises to do at least three times a day during the radiotherapy and at least once a day after the treatment has finished.

Early advice on good skin care can minimise the risk of developing lymphoedema (a type of swelling) after surgery and radiotherapy.

Remain as active as possible during treatment. Go about your daily routine as normally as you can, including some physical activity every day, balanced by setting aside time for rest.

Talk to your physiotherapist about exercises that you can do in bed, sitting in a chair, or ways in which you can maintain as active a lifestyle as possible throughout the chemotherapy.

Ask the occupational therapist for advice on aids and adaptations which can help make you more independent and can help you manage the tiredness and anxiety which chemotherapy often causes.

Talk to a dietician about maintaining a healthy diet. This can help if you feel sick or your taste has changed.

Being physically active after cancer treatment is a positive step in helping you to recover. It helps you to manage the side effects of the treatment and also lowers your risk of getting other health problems.

Rehabilitation isn’t always short term and many patients benefit from ongoing rehabilitation, even years after their treatment has finished. Talk to your medical team during your follow up appointments if you feel that you need further support.