Edith, 104, is a hip- op world record breaker
A BRITISH woman became the oldest patient in the world to have a full hip replacement – just weeks after her 104th birthday.
Edith Varley underwent surgery after struggling to get around her home, where she still lives alone.
The previous record- holder was a woman aged 102.
Mrs Varley’s family are now applying to have her operation officially recognised by Guinness World Records.
Widow Edith, who lost her Edith Varley, 104, with her daughter Jenifer Quelch, is now back home after her recordbreaking hip operation husband Arthur aged 90 in 1997, was conscious throughout the one- hour operation just two weeks after her birthday.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Richard Power carried out the procedure to replace Mrs Varley’s right hip joint at Leicester General Hospital on December 22.
Ten days later she was fit enough to be discharged.
“I am delighted with the success of the surgery and so grateful to Mr Power and his team for freeing me from the dreadful pain I have suffered for so long,” Mrs Varley said.
“I am now practising my walking and exercise for the best mobility possible.”
Mrs Varley, who used to be a clerical worker, is fit enough to live independently at her home in Oadby, near Leicester. Yesterday her children Graeme Varley, 69, and Jenifer Quelch, 67, thanked the surgical team. “My mother had been in terrible pain,” said Mrs Quelch, a pub licensee from nearby Market Harborough. “We are so grateful to the team at the hospital.”
Mrs Varley’s son Graeme, from Manchester, said: “The operation has made a remarkable difference to her life. I asked her what she would like for her birthday and she would say ‘ a new hip would be wonderful’. Now it’s amazing to see her walking.”