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. The fall had caused acute nerve compression in the man’s lumbar spine, resulting in severe pain and hampered movement. But because he was fit, doctors were able to intervene with surgery – not always possible in patients of this age.“Age is indeed an important consideration, but it should not be the only factor guiding the decision. This patient led an independent life before the incident, and our focus was to relieve the nerve compression and help him regain his mobility. His early recovery was encouraging,” said Dr Tushar Deore, spine surgeon at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, who led the surgery..The man suffered the fall in the first week of Aug. His surgery was over by Oct 5. Dr Deore said his patient started walking two days later. By day three, his pain had vanished and by Oct 8, the 99-year-old man was out of hospital.He told TOI that even at 99 he was “out walking every day” to his shop. “I never used my age as an excuse and continued taking care of my health,” the man said, adding that the improvement in mobility “is an important step towards returning to my usual routine”.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. 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.He said the case highlights the importance of “individualized” treatment planning for elderly patients with spinal conditions. While surgery may not be appropriate for everyone, a comprehensive assessment can help determine whether an intervention is likely to improve comfort, mobility and quality of life, he said.
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