A sightseeing trip, an unexpected fall, and a hospital stay in a country thousands of miles from home. For Maria, a visitor from Madrid, what was meant to be the final stop of her China holiday turned into an experience she hadn't planned for.
In her 70s, Maria had already travelled through several provinces before arriving in Shanghai. But just as she was about to board a sightseeing boat, a sudden fall left her in severe pain and unable to stand. With the help of passers-by, an ambulance soon took her to Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital.
What followed was a race to diagnose the injury, make a treatment plan and get her moving again – all while helping a visitor navigate an unfamiliar medical system far from home.
An Unexpected End to the Holiday
"I was walking when suddenly my leg gave way, and I fell with a thud."
For Maria, the accident happened in a matter of seconds. One moment she was enjoying her trip; the next, she was on the ground, unable to get back up.
After arriving at SinoUnited Hospital, the emergency team quickly brought in the orthopedics department for an assessment. The diagnosis was a completely displaced femoral neck fracture – a serious hip injury for which surgery was considered the best course of treatment.
At her age, the prospect of travelling back to Spain for an operation was far from straightforward. The long journey, difficulty moving and risk of complications from remaining immobile could potentially make the injury worse. The medical team therefore began assessing how best to treat her in Shanghai.
A Treatment Plan Without the Long Wait
After discussing the diagnosis and options with Maria and her family, the doctors recommended early total hip replacement surgery, following established clinical guidelines.
There was a lot to consider before the operation. The emergency, orthopedic and ward teams reviewed her medical history, assessed her overall condition and adjusted her medication to help prepare her for anesthesia and surgery.
Rather than leaving Maria waiting through a series of separate appointments, the different departments worked together to coordinate her care. From the initial emergency assessment to preoperative checks and surgical preparation, the process moved quickly, with each team playing its part.
For someone facing major surgery in a foreign country for the first time, having a clear plan – and knowing what would happen next – made a difficult situation a little easier to manage.
From Surgery to Her First Steps
The following afternoon, Maria was taken into surgery. The operation was completed smoothly, with the orthopedic, anesthesia and nursing teams working together throughout the procedure.
But the next milestone came sooner than expected.
Around 30 minutes after waking from anesthesia and returning to her ward, Maria was assisted out of bed by the medical team. She began standing and attempting to walk, putting weight on her operated leg under their guidance.
This early movement was part of the hospital's Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach, which encourages appropriate early rehabilitation following surgery. For Maria, it was also an important confidence boost after an experience that had left her unable to stand just a day earlier.
Dr. Steven Wang, Chief of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at SinoUnited Health, said her ability to mobilize so soon was partly down to her good physical condition, but also to the trust she had built with the medical team.
Getting patients moving early, when clinically appropriate, can also help build confidence and support recovery, he explained, with the aim of helping them return home sooner.
Maria was equally positive about the experience.
"The entire process was not only full of care but also reflected a very professional level of medical expertise. I have nothing to fault," she said.
Her holiday may have ended differently from what she had imagined, but the care she received in Shanghai gave her something reassuring to take home.
Care That Goes Beyond Language
Getting injured while travelling is stressful enough. Having to make medical decisions in an unfamiliar country, away from family and the healthcare system you know, can make the experience even more daunting.
Maria's experience highlights the importance of timely treatment, clear communication and coordinated care for international patients. At SinoUnited Health, emergency physicians, specialists, nurses and other departments worked together to take her from admission to surgery and early rehabilitation.
For Maria, it was more than just getting through an operation. It was about feeling looked after at a time when she was far from home and facing an uncertain situation.
A trip to Shanghai that began as a retirement adventure ended with an unexpected hospital stay. But thanks to the medical team's coordinated efforts and attentive care, Maria was able to take her first steps towards recovery – and, eventually, the journey home.
