11/04/2023
Hip fractures have become a major public health problem and are recognized as one of the most devastating injuries impacting older adults because of the complications that follow, which include chronic pain, diminished physical health, quality of life, and premature death. Neck femur fractures occur most commonly in elderly females due to post-menopausal osteoporosis. Other contributing factors include poor nutritional status, and co-morbidities like diabetes that negatively impacts the bone quality.
This is a case of a 95 year old female who came to my clinic 4 months after she fell down at home and suffered a hip fracture. She was nearly bedridden and could not carry out her daily activities. After surviving through 4 months of poverty, pain and neglect one of her kind hearted relatives brought her to my clinic.
We decided that our best shot at providing relief would be surgery despite the risks involved. So after a detailed discussion with her and her relatives, we decided to go ahead with partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty).
But surgery was just one part. Her age and frail health made it a challenge for our team of anaesthetists as well. Third came the cost of such an advanced procedure. The only thing that we had on our side was her indomitable courage.
Finally, battling all odds we completed the surgery uneventfully, free of cost under the swasthya sathi scheme, and with the help of her fighting spirit she was back on her feet 2 weeks after surgery. You can't miss her confidence in the video despite her face being blurred for privacy reasons.
At present she lives an independent life at the age of 95 and refuses to use a walker. Her children and grandchildren still refuse to take her responsibility. However, on the brighter side, she is now looked after by one of her great grandsons.