The elderly man was discharged from hospital after spine surgery within weeks of the fall. Doctors credited his fitness for the speedy recovery
Pune : A 99-year-old Pune resident survived a serious fall that could have left him bedridden or dependent on caregivers for life, thanks to an active lifestyle and timely spine surgery, his doctors have said. His surgery was over by Oct 5. By day three, his pain had vanished and by Oct 8, the 99-year-old man was out of hospital.
Because he was fit, doctors were able to intervene with surgery – not always possible in patients of this age, but.
His early recovery was encouraging,” said Dr Tushar Deore, spine surgeon at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, who led the surgery.. Dr Deore said his patient started walking two days later. Dr Deore said considering the patient’s age, overall health and functional capacity the medical team assessed potential benefits and risks of surgical intervention before proceeding with treatment. He said: “The treatment aimed to relieve the pressure on the affected nerves and improve the patient’s mobility. He said the case highlights the importance of “individualized” treatment planning for elderly patients with spinal conditions. a comprehensive assessment can help determine whether an intervention is likely to improve comfort, mobility and quality of life, he said While surgery may not be appropriate for everyone.
The fall had caused acute nerve compression in the man’s lumbar spine, resulting in severe pain and hampered movement. “Age is indeed an important consideration, but it should not be the only factor guiding the decision. The man suffered the fall in the first week of Aug. Managing a patient at an advanced age requires careful preoperative assessment, appropriate anaesthesia management and close monitoring during recovery. In this case, the surgical and anaesthesia teams worked alongside the postoperative care and physiotherapy teams to support the patient’s recovery and early mobilisation. Postoperative rehabilitation is particularly important for older adults, as prolonged immobility can affect muscle strength, balance and the ability to perform routine activities. Early mobilisation, when medically appropriate, along with monitoring and physiotherapy, can support recovery and help patients work towards regaining their independence, added Dr Deore.
This patient led an independent life before the incident, and our focus was to relieve the nerve compression and help him regain his mobility.