A man who had been bent over for 28 years has finally stood straight after undergoing a life-changing surgery.
The man suffered from ankylosing spondylitis for 30 years.
Li Hua, a man from China, spent nearly 30 years living bent over due to a condition called ankylosing spondylitis.
This rare type of spinal arthritis caused his spine to fuse, leaving him unable to stand upright.
This condition caused the fusion of his bones, leading to immobility in his vertebral and sacroiliac joints.
Li Hua’s upper body folded onto his thighs, leaving him in a permanently bent position.
His chin touched his chest, his breastbone folded to his pubic bone, and his face to his thigh.
This physical condition began when he was 18 years old.
Unfortunately, his family couldn’t afford the necessary medical treatment until 2020.
After visiting Shenzhen University General Hospital, a medical plan was devised by Doctor Tao Huiren.
The operation was risky, with the potential for paraplegia or even death.
The medical procedures were likened to scaling Mount Everest due to their complexity.
The man experienced four possibly fatal surgeries
To rectify his posture, Li Hua had to undergo four surgeries.
The first surgery involved breaking and reconstructing his thigh bones to create space for subsequent operations.
The second surgery focused on his cervical spine, allowing him to lift his head for the first time in years.
The third surgery targeted his lumbar spine, a groundbreaking procedure combining all surgeries within a short timeframe.
Despite facing a fever post-surgery, Li Hua’s inflammation was manageable, preparing him for the final operation.
This last surgery aimed to replace his hip joints, enabling him to stand up straight once again.
Life-changing surgery made him stand straight again
Following a grueling seven-hour surgery, Li Hua emerged successfully, able to stand upright after 28 years.
He was filled with emotion and wanted to recover quickly.
He hoped to ease the burden his mother had carried for so long.
“I could finally take a closer look at my mum. She has grown old and her hair has turned grey.
I hope I can recover soon so that she can be relieved of this burden.”
Due to weakened muscles, Li Hua needed time in the hospital to relearn walking and daily tasks.
Eventually, he was discharged, tearfully thanking the hospital for their assistance.
The video concludes with a poignant moment as Li Hua gazes up at the sky, a simple act he hadn’t been able to do for almost three decades.