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Prosthetic Grows as Child Does
A year ago, 9-year-old Carly Chapman and her family from Zionsville, Ind., faced a decision. A rare bone cancer was eating away at Carly's femur - the bone in her thigh - and she was in danger of losing her leg to amputation. Thanks to pioneering Riley physicians and technology just approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Carly had another option. A new device not only could replace Carly's deteriorating bone, but also could be lengthened as she grew. Only a few surgeons in the country had performed the implant - and never in Indiana. Fortunately, Carly was a patient at Riley Hospital for Children, home to the state's first and largest pediatric cancer center. Dr. Daniel Wurtz, an associate professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at the IU School of Medicine, would lead the surgical team to implant the prosthetic into Carly's leg. The surgery was a resounding success. Carly will keep her leg and avoid future surgeries. Called Repiphysis, the prosthesis will lengthen as needed during Carly's growth spurts. Activated by electromagnetic technology, the prosthesis will enable physicians to treat Carly on an outpatient basis, eliminating the need for additional surgeries. Today, Carly visits Riley periodically for adjustments to the prosthesis so that each leg remains the same length. At home, she swims, plays and rides a bike like any other girl her age. Carly's story is just one example of the miracles performed at the Riley Children's Cancer Center, which sees nine out of 10 kids in Indiana who have cancer. The center celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2004. Along the way, the staff and donors have achieved many milestones and helped more than 1 million children and their families deal with the devastating diagnosis of cancer. Riley's Cancer Center is the only center in Indiana to be part of the Children's Oncology Group Phase I Consortium, which means patients have access to the latest drugs for chemotherapy, a significant part of cancer treatment. Moreover, Riley has the only pediatric stem cell transplant unit in the state and is a leader in umbilical cord blood transplantation. Riley also conducts clinics to help people with sickle cell disease, immunodeficiency and hemophilia live with their diseases. Thanks to advances in cancer treatment, children like Carly are living longer and healthier lives. The care after treatment is vital to long-term recovery. Through the Cancer Survivorship Clinic, staff keep a close eye on patients as they enjoy an increasingly active life. It's this comprehensive approach that really sets Riley Hospital apart. "Riley is one of the only places where a multidisciplinary team of physicians and caretakers have come together to treat unusual problems," said Dr. Wurtz. "The treatment is better because this team also collaborates with other centers around the country to render the most contemporary treatment available for cancers. It takes a huge set of people who know how to take care of these children." [Keywords: Orthopedics] |
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