Starting rehabilitation | Sarcoma UK
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Starting Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation usually starts after treatment. However, with sarcoma you may find that it helps to start rehabilitation earlier, this is sometimes called prehabilitation, or prehab.  

 

At diagnosis 

 

When you’re first diagnosed with sarcoma, ask your specialist team to refer you to rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation can be done at home or at a hospital. 

Who will I see for rehabilitation?  

 

You might see several different specialists for rehabilitation:

 

Occupational therapists

An occupational therapist (OT) helps you manage physical and emotional challenges in everyday activities after surgery. This can include personal care, practical tasks around the house, returning to work or school, and leisure activities.

You may see an occupational therapist after your surgery to support with rehabilitation.  

They can help you with moving safely, for example from a bed to a chair or wheelchair. They can also support you to be more independent in your daily activities. If you need equipment or more support, an occupational therapist may be involved in arranging this through your local social services. 

An occupational therapist can also help with managing cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, and emotional support.  

If an occupational therapist is not available in your sarcoma specialist centre, you can speak to a member of your rehabilitation team for advice. You can also ask for a referral from your GP. If you need changes in your home, you can often self-refer to your local social services for an assessment. 

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists help you return to being as active as possible. They will help you strengthen your muscles and make sure your joints recover as much movement as possible.  

This may involve:

  • designing an exercise programme just for you 
  • providing advice about managing fatigue 
  • teaching you to use equipment to help you walk or to support your joints 
  • increasing your ability to walk. 

Dietitians

You might see a dietitian who can support you to eat and drink well with sarcoma. They can advise you on the best nutrition to help you before, during, and after your treatment. 

They can also help you with losing or gaining weight. A healthy diet can help you maintain a better quality of life and help support your treatment. If you do not have access to a dietician at your specialist centre, speak to your GP for a referral to local dietician services.  

Social workers

You might see a social worker. They can help to support you in all areas of your cancer care, including arranging a needs assessment. You can speak to your local social services department to help you get in touch with a social worker, or ask your GP to refer you.

Speech and language therapists (SALT)

Speech and language therapists help with problems such as difficulties with swallowing, eating, drinking, or talking which may be a result of your cancer or treatment.

Orthotists and prosthetists 

Sarcoma treatment often involves surgery. Your doctor will discuss this with you in detail, and if you need surgery, there are options to help you afterwards.  

An orthotist can give you a splint to help support your movement. If you have had an amputation and you’re eligible, a prosthetist can assess you for and fit an artificial limb. 

Complex discharge team

You may see a discharge nurse when in hospital if you need extra support when leaving hospital. Your discharge nurse will work with your local social services to arrange a package of care to help you at home.

Rehabilitation and surgery  

 

It’s important to keep yourself as active and strong as possible before surgery to help with recovery. However, you may be told to avoid certain movements or not to put weight through the affected limb. 

The types of rehabilitation you might have include:

  • walking aids (frame, crutches, or a walking stick)  
  • home exercise programmes to move your limbs and increase your strength  
  • advice on preventing stiffness and swelling in joints and limbs  
  • connective tissue massage to reduce tightness and help with scar healing  
  • special equipment to help you around the home.  

After surgery, you might need to stay in hospital to improve your limb function. Your medical team or CNS will tell you how long you might need to stay in hospital. We have more information and rehabilitation after surgery. 

 

Rehabilitation and radiotherapy 

 

Before you start radiotherapy, it’s a good idea to keep active and improve your overall strength and fitness to prepare you for the effects of radiotherapy. This is often called prehabilitation, or prehab. You might be told to do some stretching to maintain the range of movement in your joint.

If you’re referred to a physiotherapist, they will give you exercises to do before and after the treatment has finished.

If you have not been referred to a physiotherapist and you’re having difficulty moving or joint stiffness, you can ask for a referral. 

Try to stay as active as possible during treatment. Try to include some physical activity every day. It’s also important to take time to rest.  

Looking after your skin 

 

During radiotherapy, you should look after your skin in the area of treatment to help with side effects such as dryness, rashes, and broken skin.  

You should:

  • wash the area daily  
  • moisturise 2-3 times a day  
  • drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.  

Rehabilitation and chemotherapy 

 

Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist about exercises that you can do in bed, sitting in a chair, or standing. You can also talk to them about ways to stay as active as possible throughout chemotherapy. 

Tiredness and fatigue are common side effects of chemotherapy. If you do not have a referral to a physiotherapist, ask your doctor for one. You can also ask your occupational therapist for advice on equipment that might help you be more independent.

You can also talk to a dietitian about maintaining a healthy diet. This can help if you feel sick or your taste has changed from chemotherapy.

 

Lymphoedema  

 

Lymphoedema is a swelling of the tissue. It can happen after treatments for sarcoma such as radiotherapy or surgery. Ahead of treatment, you should take care of your skin to lower the risk of getting lymphoedema.

We have more information about lymphoedema and sarcoma.  

 

After treatment 

 

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

Rehabilitation isn’t always short-term. Many people benefit from ongoing rehabilitation, even years after their treatment has finished. Talk to your medical team during your follow-up appointments if you need more support.  

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