Fig. 4

Comparison of clinical outcomes between the MWA group and amputation group. a The survival curve of diaphysis malignant tumors of femur/tibia treated with MWA verses amputation strategy. About 78% patients from the MWA population survived over 3 years after limb salvage surgery log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test compared to the amputation group (nearly 47%). Once 3 years follow-up achieved, no subsequent death occurred in both groups in this series study. b At the 6-month postoperative follow-up and the subsequent follow-up visits, patients were asked to attend an outpatient clinic where a survey of the MSTS was registered to assess patients’ function and satisfaction. The average postoperative MSTS rating score percentage was 92.13 ± 5.93%, which was significantly higher than the amputation group (75.81 ± 10.44%) in our consecutive inclusions. (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001)