NAWANSHAHR, May 15: A 96-year-old female patient underwent a complex wrist fracture surgery at Livasa Hospital, Nawanshahr recently.
Dr. Akashdeep Singh, consultant orthopaedics who led the surgery said that the patient had suffered a comminuted intra-articular distal radius fracture following a fall — a condition made particularly challenging due to advanced age, severe osteoporosis, fracture comminution, and joint involvement.
Despite her age, the patient was previously active and independent, regularly participating in farming and daily household activities. Her primary goal was to regain mobility and return to her routine life as early as possible.
After detailed preoperative evaluation and multidisciplinary planning by Dr. Sameer Sharma, senior consultant-anaesthesia & critical care, Livasa Hospital, Nawanshahr, the procedure was performed under regional anesthesia using combined supraclavicular and axillary nerve blocks, allowing surgery in a fully awake state while minimizing perioperative risks associated with general anesthesia in elderly patients.
Considering the osteoporotic bone quality and intra-articular fracture comminution, the orthopaedic team utilized an advanced variable-angle locking plate fixation system to achieve stable fixation and restoration of wrist alignment. The procedure was completed successfully without any intraoperative or postoperative complications.
A major focus of the treatment strategy was early rehabilitation and restoration of function. In view of the stable fixation achieved intraoperatively, wrist mobilisation exercises were initiated from the very next day after surgery. The patient demonstrated satisfactory recovery and confidence in limb use during the postoperative period and was discharged in stable condition within three days.
Our focus in this case was not just fracture fixation, but restoring the patient’s confidence and functional independence, informed Dr. Akashdeep.