Wheelchair Bound for a Year, 88-Year-Old regains mobility post Complex Hip Revision Surgery at Fortis Vasant Kunj
Wheelchair Bound for a Year, 88-Year-Old regains mobility post Complex Hip Revision Surgery at Fortis Vasant Kunj
Patient suffered from Multiple Co-morbidities - Chronic Kidney Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiac Condition, Renal Failure amongst others
New Delhi, 26th August 2025: In a remarkable feat of surgical expertise and multi-disciplinary medical
coordination, Doctors at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj successfully performed a highly complex total hip
replacement (THR) surgery on an 88-year-old elderly man. The man had been wheelchair-bound for over
a year due to a failed hip implant procedure, that had migrated deep into the pelvis, causing severe pain
alongwith bone damage leading to complete loss of mobility.
The complex procedure was led by Dr. Shuvendu Prosad Roy, Additional Director Ortho & Spine Surgery,
Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj and the surgery lasted for approximately 4.5 hours. After 13 days of hospitalisation, the patient was discharged in a stable condition and has now regained the ability to walk
with the support of a stick.
Upon admission at Fortis Vasant Kunj, the patient was experiencing severe pain in his left hip. He had
been wheelchair-bound for the past year and, before that, could only walk short distances with the help
of a walker. His condition dated back to 2018, when he fractured his left hip after a fall and underwent a
partial hip replacement. Although he regained limited mobility initially, within a few months he developed persistent pain and increasing difficulty in walking. Over time, his dependence on the walker grew, and
his mobility steadily declined.
In 2020, doctors advised a revision surgery, but the patient, apprehensive due to his age, postponed the
procedure. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to seek further medical attention,
and his condition progressively worsened. By the end of 2023, he had completely lost the ability to walk
and was confined to a wheelchair.
Adding to the complexity, the patient suffered from multiple co-morbidities including a pacemaker,
chronic renal failure, controlled Type 2 diabetes, post-prostatectomy urethral issues requiring regular
intervention and a history of spinal fixation surgery. Given the complexity and challenges of the case, the
surgical team at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj worked closely with specialists in cardiology, nephrology, and
vascular care to stabilise and manage his health conditions before and during surgery. They carefully
managed his health conditions, including diabetes and chronic kidney disease, before and during the
operation. The hip socket - where the thigh bone connects to the pelvis - was severely damaged with
significant bone loss. To reconstruct it, the surgeons used bone grafts, from a bone bank (commercially
available human bone after sterilization), these grafts were used to fill the gaps, help the new bone grow
and create a strong foundation for the new hip joint. A special metal frame, called an acetabular cage,
was then implanted and secured into the pelvic bone with screws to support the new artificial socket.
To remove the old implant that had deeply shifted into the pelvic area and was dangerously close to major blood vessels, the surgical team used a specialised technique called Extended Trochanteric Osteotomy
(ETO). This involved carefully opening the upper part of the thigh bone to gain better access and safely
extract the stuck implant without damaging surrounding structures. After removing the implant, they
inserted a longer, stronger metal rod into the thigh bone and reconstructed the bone using metal wires
for added stability. The procedure required careful planning, advanced surgical methods, and custom
implants. Thanks to the successful outcome, the patient has regained mobility, is now able to walk
independently with the support of a stick and has returned to an active lifestyle.
Giving details of the case, Dr. Shuvendu Prosad Roy, Additional Director Ortho & Spine Surgery, Fortis
Hospital, Vasant Kunj said, “This was one of the most technically demanding surgeries. The acetabulum
(hip socket) was completely destroyed, the previous implant had migrated dangerously close to major
pelvic vessels and we anticipated significant blood loss. On top of that, the patient’s advanced age and
complex medical history, that included heart, kidney, and urinary issues, required detailed planning and
coordination with multiple specialties. Despite these challenges, we carefully executed a well-structured
surgical plan using advanced techniques and specialized implants, which allowed us to restore his mobility and greatly improve his quality of life.”
Dr. Gurvinder Kaur, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj said, “This case underscores the
importance of timely surgical intervention in elderly patients, many of whom silently endure pain and
limited mobility due to fear or hesitation. At Fortis Vasant Kunj, we are committed to offering advanced
orthopedic solutions through expert-led, multidisciplinary care. With the support of modern surgical
techniques and specialized implants, even high-risk, complex cases can result in significantly improved
outcomes and restored quality of life.
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