Daphne Keith has become the oldest Australian to have a partial hip replacement under general anaesthesia at the age of 107.
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After fracturing her hip during a fall, Ms Keith was admitted to Wollongong Hospital where she underwent the emergency operation in January.
One hour later, she was awake, alert and drinking a cup of tea with four sugars, her surgeon says.
Four days after the hip hemiarthroplasty - which involved replacing the ball of the hip joint with an artificial ball and metal stem - Ms Keith left the hospital and now she uses a walking frame to get around.
The 108-year-old, who recently celebrated her birthday, is believed to be one of the 15 oldest living Australians.
She has become an example of how age is not always a predictor of a patient's readiness for surgery.
The anaesthetists involved in her treatment have co-authored a case study of the successful procedure will present it at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists' (ANZCA) annual scientific meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
"Both surgical and non-surgical options were considered, but without the operation more than likely she would have been bed bound for the remainder of her life," said Dr Anthony Hodsdon, a senior resident medical officer at Wollongong Hospital.
"What do I have to lose?" said Ms Keith who "strongly" wanted the surgery, Dr Hodsdon said.
Her nephew Mick Chapman says his aunt, who was a keen ballroom dancer into her 90s, has been forced to slow down a bit but still gets around.
"It's amazing to be in her company," the 86-year-old nephew said.
"A lot of people wouldn't believe she's 108."
Australian Associated Press
