From Wheelchair to Pain-Free Walking: How a Young Woman's Hip Tumour and Fracture Were Treated in One Surgery
A 29-year-old woman arrived at Dr. Jitesh Jain's clinic in a wheelchair. She was in severe pain, unable to stand, unable to walk, and terrified about what was happening inside her hip. The diagnosis was devastating: a tumour in her left hip bone had weakened it so badly that the bone had fractured. At 29, she was facing the possibility of a hip replacement if things went wrong.
This was one of the most challenging cases Dr. Jitesh Jain has handled at Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur. Not just because of the tumour, but because of what the surgery demanded: removing the tumour completely, repairing the fracture, and restoring perfect alignment of the hip joint, all in one procedure, with zero room for error.
Here's what happened.
💬 Chat on WhatsAppThe Problem: A Tumour That Broke the Bone
The patient had developed a tumour in the proximal femur, the upper part of the thigh bone right near the hip joint. This is one of the worst locations for a bone tumour because the proximal femur bears your entire body weight every time you stand, walk, or climb stairs.
The tumour had silently eaten away at the bone from the inside, weakening it until it could no longer support her body weight. The result was a pathological fracture: a fracture caused not by a major injury, but by bone that had become too weak to hold itself together.
By the time she reached Dr. Jitesh Jain, she couldn't put any weight on her left leg. She was completely dependent on a wheelchair.
Pre-operative X-ray showing the tumour in the proximal femur with a pathological fracture of the left hip
The Challenge: Why This Surgery Was So Difficult
This wasn't a straightforward fracture fixation. The surgery had two critical goals that had to be achieved simultaneously:
Goal 1: Remove the tumour completely. Leaving any tumour tissue behind could mean regrowth and the need for more surgeries down the line. The tumour had to be thoroughly curetted (scraped out) from inside the bone.
Goal 2: Fix the fracture with perfect alignment. After removing the tumour, the bone was even weaker than before. It had to be stabilised with internal fixation (a plate and screws) in a way that restored the normal anatomy of the hip joint. Even a few degrees of malalignment could lead to limping, unequal leg length, or early joint wear.
The risk: If the surgery didn't achieve both goals, if the fixation failed or the alignment was off, the next option would be a total hip replacement. For a 29-year-old, that's a life-altering outcome. Hip replacements have a limited lifespan and would mean multiple revision surgeries over her lifetime. Saving her natural hip joint was absolutely the priority.
The Surgery: Tumour Removal + Fracture Fixation
Dr. Jitesh Jain performed the surgery at Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur. The procedure involved carefully opening the hip area, identifying and removing the tumour tissue completely from inside the bone, and then stabilising the fracture using a proximal femoral plate with screws to hold everything in perfect alignment while the bone healed.
The surgery demanded precision at every step. The bone was fragile from the tumour. The fracture was in a weight-bearing zone. And the patient's age meant that the outcome had to be not just "good enough" but excellent, because she had decades of active life ahead of her.
Post-operative X-rays (AP and lateral views) showing the fracture fixed with a plate and screws in excellent alignment after tumour removal
The Result: Walking Again
The surgery was successful. The tumour was removed completely. The fracture was fixed with excellent alignment. And most importantly, the patient's natural hip joint was preserved.
From being wheelchair-bound and in severe pain, she progressed to assisted walking within weeks after surgery. No hip replacement was needed. Her own hip, her own bone, repaired and healing.
Watch her journey in this short video from Dr. Jitesh Jain's YouTube channel:
Watch: From wheelchair to walking after hip tumour and fracture surgery by Dr. Jitesh Jain
What Is a Pathological Fracture?
A pathological fracture is a broken bone that happens because the bone has been weakened by an underlying disease, most commonly a tumour, infection, or severe osteoporosis. Unlike a normal fracture that needs a significant fall or accident, a pathological fracture can happen with minimal force: simply standing up, turning in bed, or taking a wrong step.
This is why unexplained hip pain or thigh pain in a young person should never be ignored. If the pain is persistent, not related to any obvious injury, and getting worse over time, it could be a sign of something happening inside the bone. Early detection can make the difference between a limb-saving surgery and a much more complex procedure.
When Should You Worry About Hip Pain?
See an orthopaedic specialist if you or a family member experiences:
Persistent hip or thigh pain that has lasted more than 2 to 3 weeks and isn't improving with rest or painkillers.
Night pain that wakes you up or prevents you from sleeping comfortably.
Pain without a clear cause: no fall, no injury, but the pain is there and getting worse.
Difficulty bearing weight on the leg, limping, or feeling like the leg might give way.
Swelling or a lump near the hip or thigh area.
These symptoms don't always mean something serious, but they deserve a proper evaluation. A simple X-ray and clinical examination can often identify or rule out concerning conditions quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a bone tumour cause a fracture?
Yes. A bone tumour weakens the bone from the inside, and when the bone becomes too thin or hollow to bear weight, it can fracture with minimal force. This is called a pathological fracture. It's one of the most common ways bone tumours are discovered.
Is hip replacement the only option when a tumour causes a hip fracture?
Not always. In many cases, especially in younger patients, the surgeon can remove the tumour and fix the fracture while preserving the natural hip joint. This is the preferred approach because it avoids the limitations and revision surgeries that come with a hip replacement. However, it requires precision and experience to achieve a successful outcome.
How long does recovery take after tumour removal and fracture fixation in the hip?
Recovery varies by case. Most patients can begin assisted walking within a few weeks. Full weight-bearing and return to normal activities may take 3 to 6 months depending on how quickly the bone heals. Regular follow-up X-rays and physiotherapy are essential during this period.
Can bone tumours come back after surgery?
It depends on the type of tumour. Benign tumours (non-cancerous) have a low recurrence rate after thorough removal. Malignant tumours (cancerous) may require additional treatment like chemotherapy or radiation. The removed tissue is always sent for biopsy to determine the exact nature of the tumour and plan any further treatment if needed.
Does Dr. Jitesh Jain treat bone tumours in Jaipur?
Yes. Dr. Jitesh Jain at Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur, treats complex orthopaedic conditions including bone tumours, pathological fractures, and complex trauma cases. His fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopy, combined with experience in complex orthopaedic surgeries, allows him to handle cases that require both precision and advanced surgical planning.
Every Complex Case Deserves the Right Surgeon
Cases like this one remind us that orthopaedic surgery isn't always about routine procedures. Sometimes, it's about saving a young person's natural joint, preserving their mobility, and giving them back the life they thought they'd lost. The difference between a good outcome and a devastating one often comes down to the surgeon's skill, experience, and willingness to take on difficult challenges.
If you or someone you know is dealing with unexplained bone pain, a suspected tumour, or a complex fracture, don't delay. The earlier it's evaluated, the more options are available.
💬 Chat on WhatsApp