Fractured Knowledge: Making Sense of Exercise in Patients with Bone Metastases

Purpose Traditional dogma suggests that individuals with cancer-related bone metastases should restrict their physical activity, potentially engaging cautiously in isometric exercises. However, occurrences of adverse skeletal events during supervised exercise in patients with known metastatic bone lesions are exceedingly rare, contrasting with the substantial risks of inactivity. Recent studies advocate for well-designed exercise regimens for individuals with bone metastases, highlighting the potential benefits of enhanced mental well-being, fatigue mitigation, enhanced physical function, and an overall improved quality of life. As cancer rehabilitation physicians, it falls within our scope of practice to diagnose, assess, and manage risk while emphasizing the role of exercise and rehabilitation therapies, accompanied by necessary precautions, for individuals with metastatic cancer. This review aims to explore the safety and feasibility of exercise interventions for individuals affected by metastatic bone disease.