In a remarkable demonstration of modern medical advancements, a 100-year-old man, Mr. S. C. Kapur has experienced a dramatic turnaround in quality of life following a successful hip replacement surgery performed by renowned senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Rahul Sharma at Sawan Neelu Angel’s Hospital, Saket, New Delhi.

Historically, elderly patients—especially those approaching or surpassing the century mark—faced a lifetime of dependency and debilitating pain due to complications such as blood loss, infections, and immobility after fractures. Today, however, advancements in medical science have revolutionized the management of hip fractures, a condition that affects nearly 50% of women and 20% of men over the age of 50 in India. Studies indicate that by 2026, India could see as many as 600,000 osteoporotic hip fractures annually, with mortality rates ranging between 15% and 36% and a two-year mortality rate around 11.2%.

Dr. Sharma, an expert in hip, knee, and shoulder surgeries and founder of the Life in Motion Clinic, explained,
““A hip fracture can be a complex and dangerous problem for people who are older than 65 years of age. They can’t stand, walk or put weight on a broken hip. They also cannot prevent hip bone fractures due to sudden falls or other trauma because they can’t plan the cause behind them. It usually takes at least a few months and at times a year after treatment to notice improvements and fully recover from a broken hip depending upon factors like the age of the patient, his/her overall health, what caused the fracture, the type of surgery performed, and other injuries suffered”.

Following a fall at home, Mr. Kapur suffered a severe fracture that resulted in acute, unbearable pain. After being promptly admitted, Dr. Sharma advised an immediate elective hip replacement—the only viable solution considering Mr. Kapur’s fracture type and accompanying health conditions. It was not an easy decision, and a multidisciplinary team of orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians, cardiologists, and intensive care specialists were required to care for the patient during the surgery. It seemed to be a big and challenging task considering the patient’s age and precarious medical condition, but Dr Rahul Sharma and his team accepted the challenge and successfully performed the complex hip arthroplasty surgery (joint replacement surgery) which lasted nearly 90 minutes. The surgery was done with the highest standards of asepsis to prevent infection. After the meticulous surgery, the patient was discharged from the hospital after about 3 days. He is now undergoing rehabilitation and can walk comfortably.

““The risk of falls and fractures is even more profound in older adults, particularly those nearing 100 years of age who are more susceptible and have a higher risk of falls, fractures and injuries due to age-related reduced mobility, balance, and strength, osteoporosis, dementia, cognitive impairment, reduced vision, hearing, and sensory perception as well as chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease”, he adds,” added Dr. Sharma. “Our goal is to provide standardized, multidisciplinary care that not only treats the injury but also significantly improves the patient’s quality of life.”

This groundbreaking procedure is a beacon of hope for the geriatric community, emphasizing the urgent need to enhance access to timely and effective orthopaedic services and rehabilitation facilities across India. As the aging population grows, such advanced interventions are poised to redefine care standards and support the independence and well-being of our senior citizens.

About Sawan Neelu Angel’s Hospital
Located in Saket, New Delhi, Sawan Neelu Angel’s Hospital is committed to providing world-class healthcare services. With a focus on innovation, patient-centered care, and clinical excellence, the hospital continues to set benchmarks in various specialties, including orthopaedics.