Periprosthetic Fracture Treatment in India

Sarah Brown, a 72-year-old retired school...

Sarah Brown, a 72-year-old retired school librarian, lives alone in a small bungalow. She had a successful total hip replacement five years ago due to osteoarthritis. While gardening, she lost her balance on a wet stone and fell hard onto her left side. She felt immediate, severe pain in her left thigh and was unable to stand or bear any weight. At the ER, X-rays revealed a periprosthetic fracture, the bone around her hip implant had broken. Her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Evans, explained that the stable implant was still well-fixed, but the surrounding femur was fractured. He recommended open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to realign the bone and secure it with a metal plate and screws, preserving her original implant. Sarah was terrified of another major surgery and worried about losing her independence. The surgery went smoothly. Her recovery was challenging; she needed six weeks of strict non-weight-bearing with a walker, followed by intensive physical therapy. After four months, she regained her mobility and strength, graduating to a cane. The emotional journey was profound. Before surgery, she felt fragile and fearful of becoming a burden. Post-recovery, she felt resilient and deeply grateful for her surgical team and home-help services. She returned to her garden with renewed caution and confidence.