Mrs. Nguyen Thi T. (103 years old) had recovered very well after her hip replacement and was discharged from the hospital

The patient, Mrs. Nguyen Thi T. (103 years old, Vy Da ward, Hue) was admitted to the hospital on March 28 due to falling from bed, swelling and pain in the groin area, resulting in dysfunction of right foot. After 2 days of falling, the patient felt more pain on movement, so the family took her to the Hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

After examination, X-ray and overall laboratory tests, the patient was diagnosed with femoral neck fracture, displacement, moderate aortic valve regurgitation and anemia in the elderly due to bleeding at the fracture site. Her concomitant diseases were treated stably and her  cemented bipolar hip arthroplasty was performed on April 3.

She recovered very well after surgery and was able to sit up and eat after 4 days. Thus, the patient can avoid complications due to prolonged immobility such as DVT (deep vein thrombosis), pneumonia, pressure sores ... leading to death in the elderly.

The technique of minimally invasive hip replacement surgery has been implemented for 10 years at the Hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy but it is still a new method in Vietnam. By applying this technique, there is less muscle cutting, less damage to surrounding tissue and blood loss. Therefore, patients could recover quickly.

“The issue of rehabilitation will be posed when the patient's condition is completely stable, now the patient has no pain at the fracture site, being able to take care of herself and to change her position to avoid the above complications. Hip replacement surgery is an effective technique to help elderly people with hip fracture overcome risks and increase life expectancy. Previously, there were the second case of a 104-year-old patient that could live for more than 1 year after surgery and the first case of a 100-year-old patient that could live for 4 more years.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Nghi Thanh Nhan said.

Reportedly, the Estonian Traumatologist-Orthopedic Association has invited Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Nghi Thanh Nhan to report his 10-year experience of direct anterior approach with short incision using the minimally invasive technique applied at the Hospital of Hue University of Medicine, in Europe.

Story and photo: Ngoc Ha