Metastatic bone disease of the pelvis and extremities: rationalizing orthopaedic treatment

Abstract

Background: Choosing the appropriate treatment for patients presenting with impending or pathological fractures is difficult and understanding the prognosis based on certain characteristics can help inform the decision to treat and construct to use in a palliative setting. We retrospectively analysed patients presenting with metastatic bone disease in the extremities and pelvis. Methods: Patients presenting with metastatic bone disease to the extremities or pelvis who underwent orthopaedic treatment from 1996 to 2012 were identified. Survival rates were calculated using life table analysis. Univariate and multivariate analysis was achieved with Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: T..