A woman who lost half her leg to bone cancer had her foot reattached backwards - and it was n't a mistake . Shanna Decker , 24 , was seven when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after complaining about a pain in her leg . Doctors said they would have to remove her left knee to save her life . But instead of an amputation , Decker opted for a 'rotationplasty ' : when the foot is attached to the thigh and rotated backwards . It means Decker , from Minnesota , has more control over her prosthetic calf . SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Choice : Shanna Decker , 24 , opted to have her left foot reattached to her thigh backwards after doctors removed her left knee . The operation , which removed a cancerous tumor , saved her life . The forward-facing heel acts as a new knee and the foot can move like a shin . If she needs to , Decker can even apply weight to the foot - which has retained its feeling - and walk on it . The then-novel procedure was one of three options available to Decker , while she endured a grueling chemotherapy program . Doctors could have amputated her leg below the thigh or created a 'stiff leg ' . More control : The decision Decker and her parents made when she was seven ( left ) means that she now has more control over her prosthetic leg and can manoeuvre it better than if she had undergone an amputation . Delighted : Seven-year-old Decker was amazed at how quickly she learned to walk again after surgery . Due to her age , Decker was not eligible for 'limb salvage ' , where the missing tissue is replaced with transplanted or artificial tissue , as her legs were not fully developed . Instead , she opted for rotationplasty , which removes the tumor and the knee and rotates the foot 180 degrees . Writing on Rotationplasty.com , her mother said : ' I remember this being the hardest decision our family has ever faced . When we initially learned of rotationplasty , I have to admit , it took time to absorb . We had many questions and desperately wanted to connect with others who had already chosen this procedure , but found that to be difficult . ' No regrets : Decker has now set up a foundation to help children who are considering rotationplasty too . Aside from the difficulty overcoming the appearance of her new leg , Decker said she never thought twice about it . And learning to walk was simple - unlike the months-long process most amputees endure . 'As soon as my leg healed , I was walking with a prosthetic and it took me about three seconds to learn how to rewalk , ' Decker told Everyday Health . Hoping to inspire children who are facing the same predicament she tackled 17 years ago , Decker has founded a charity called Brighter Tomorrows that supports young cancer sufferers .
Shanna Decker , the age of 7 , was diagnose with osteosarcoma at 24 . She opted for the then-novel procedure called rotationplasty . Doctors removed her left calf and knee , rotated foot 180 degrees and attached it to her thigh . It gives her greater control over her prosthetic leg , she has 'no regrets '