East Delhi: Correspondent
A fall during Holi left a 60-year-old woman from Bihar with a broken hip, but poverty kept her away from proper medical treatment for nearly six months. Hoping to find relief, she turned to a local pehlwan, who tried bandages, herbs and pain-relief balms. But nothing worked, and her suffering continued until she reached the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)-run Swami Dayanand Hospital, where doctors finally performed a total hip replacement despite several serious medical challenges.
The woman’s case had become complicated because of the long delay in treatment. She was extremely weak and underweight and also suffered from restrictive lung disease, which increased the risks associated with anaesthesia and surgery.
Dr Gaurav Sharma, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at Swami Dayanand Hospital, said the woman had initially approached doctors after the fracture but could not afford the treatment. With limited financial resources, she sought help from a local pehlwan, hoping that traditional remedies would ease her pain. However, her condition did not improve.
By the time she reached the hospital, the fracture had become a neglected case. Doctors faced the difficult task of treating the damaged hip while also managing her poor physical condition and lung disease.
Dr Sharma said the medical team first focused on preparing the patient for surgery. She remained admitted for around three weeks before the operation so that doctors could assess and improve her fitness for the procedure.
The surgery was considered high-risk because her lung condition could make it difficult for her to tolerate anaesthesia and a lengthy operation. The anaesthesia team initially expressed concerns and considered referring her to a higher centre. After discussions and careful planning, however, the teams managed to proceed with the surgery at the hospital.
Doctors performed a total hip replacement to address the fracture and help restore her mobility. The patient spent around a month in the hospital in total, including the time needed for preparation, surgery and post-operative care.
Her story highlights how financial hardship can force people to delay essential treatment or seek help from traditional practitioners, sometimes allowing a medical problem to become more complicated. A hip fracture in an older person needs timely medical attention, as prolonged immobility can lead to further health complications.
For this woman, what began as a fall during Holi turned into nearly six months of pain and uncertainty. Her surgery at the MCD-run hospital has now given her a chance to recover and move towards a better quality of life.
