“Because the Pain Was So Severe, I Couldn’t Walk… I Had to Lie Down for a Whole Month”
This was not just pain experienced by the patient alone. It was suffering that the entire family had to face together.
For elderly patients, a single fall may not be a minor incident, especially when it leads to severe pain that makes it impossible to walk, sit, or return to normal daily life.
This is the story of Mrs. Pensri Chaisirimongkol, 80 years old, who used to be an active person. She could live her daily life normally, enjoyed going out for walks, and often went shopping in Yaowarat or department stores almost every day. However, after an accident where she slipped and fell, landing on her buttocks and back, her life changed immediately.
The Beginning: A Fall That Changed Everything
Mrs. Pensri shared that the incident happened in early February, when she slipped and fell, causing her buttocks and back to hit the floor. After that, she began experiencing severe pain. It was not just ordinary back pain, but pain that affected every movement.
She described the pain by saying, “Sitting hurt. Standing hurt. Even walking for a short while hurt.” The only position that made the pain feel slightly better was lying flat.
Her symptoms became so severe that she could not stand for more than three minutes before needing to sit down. But after sitting for less than three minutes, she had to find a place to lie down again. As a result, she spent most of the day lying still, only getting up briefly to eat or go to the bathroom before having to lie down again. From someone who used to walk normally, she became bedridden for more than a month.
Before the accident, Mrs. Pensri could take care of herself, walk, go out, and maintain an active daily routine. But after the fall, the pain forced her to remain in bed for over a month.
The Suffering Affected Not Only the Patient, But the Whole Family
Her son shared that the family was extremely worried. His mother had always been active and used to go out almost every day. Seeing her lying still at home for such a long period made the family concerned that, if left untreated, her muscles could weaken, her overall health could decline, and her mental well-being could be affected as well.
During the period when her symptoms were most severe, she suffered so much that she sometimes had to stand while eating, because sitting caused even more pain than standing. Even when she managed to sit down to eat, she could only do so for a few minutes before the pain became unbearable.
The family then began discussing the situation among the siblings to find the most appropriate treatment option for their mother.
The Decision to Seek Treatment at a Specialized Hospital
After trying to find treatment but seeing no improvement in her symptoms, the family decided to bring her to S Spine & Joint Hospital, following a friend’s recommendation.
The main reason the family felt confident was that S Spine & Joint Hospital is a specialized hospital for bone and joint conditions, especially spinal disorders. They wanted Mrs. Pensri to receive a thorough diagnosis to identify the true cause of the severe pain that had continued for more than a month.
MRI Revealed Two Vertebral Compression Fractures
After the consultation, Dr. Dittapong Boonampol recommended an MRI scan to evaluate her condition in detail. The results revealed that she had two vertebral compression fractures.
This was the true cause of her severe pain. It explained why sitting, standing, or walking for even a short period caused intense discomfort, forcing her to lie flat most of the time.
Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the doctor recommended vertebroplasty, a procedure involving the injection of bone cement into the two fractured vertebrae. This treatment helps reduce pain caused by collapsed vertebral fractures and supports faster recovery, allowing patients to regain mobility more quickly.
After understanding the diagnosis and treatment plan, the family decided to proceed with the treatment immediately.
After the procedure, Mrs. Pensri stayed at the hospital for only one night. By the next morning, the pain that had tormented her for more than a month had clearly improved. The most immediate change the family noticed was that she could sit and finish a full meal by herself, without having to quickly stand up or return to lying down as she had before treatment.
From Being Able to Sit for Only a Few Minutes to Sitting and Eating Normally Again
Mrs. Pensri shared that the severe pain that once made her unable to walk, sit, or do anything except lie down had improved significantly. Previously, she could not stand for even three minutes and could not sit for more than three minutes. After treatment, she was able to stand and walk for up to around half an hour.
For the family, this was not just a treatment that relieved pain. It meant seeing their mother regain a better quality of life once again.
Her son shared that the results were clear and remarkably fast. The whole family felt happier because, from once feeling anxious while watching their mother suffer and lie still all day, they could now see her sitting down to eat, walking for longer periods, and smiling again.
