A 108-year-old woman from Salford died after suffering a fractured ankle at home, an inquest heard.
Edith Hodson died just nine days after being admitted to hospital in September last year.
Her condition declined rapidly following the accident despite being in good health.
She then suffered a heart attack.
An inquest into her death was opened at Bolton Coroner’s Court today on Monday (February 14).
It heard how Mrs Hodson was at her home on Delamere Avenue in Clifton when the fall happened on September 19.
Her son Peter had been assisting her down the stairs when she reached the bottom and got her foot caught in the carpet.
Mrs Hodson collapsed and suffered a fracture to her left ankle.
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An ambulance was called and she was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital.
Due to her age and frailty, medics discussed potentially amputating her leg over fears the wound would not heal.
But following a decision made by Mrs Hodson, it was decided surgeons would try their best to fix the fracture.
While the operation was deemed a success, her condition began to quickly deteriorate.
She was given fluids and remained stable for a few days but struggled to communicate.
Sadly, she suffered a heart attack and died with her son by her side on September 28.
Medics believe her death was linked to the trauma of the surgery because her “age group find it hard to recover”.
Giving evidence at the inquest, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Salford Royal Hospital said: “Had she not sustained the injury from the fall, the presumed heart attack would probably not have taken place”.
Mrs Hodson’s cause of death was found to be a heart attack due to heart disease, with contributions including frailty, hypertention (high blood pressure) and a fracture.
The inquest heard how Mrs Hodson was born on September 15, 1913 in Clifton.
She was a retired weaver and worked at Holdsworth & Gibbs mill in Swinton until she was 60.
Despite having issues with mobility, her son Peter said she was generally of good health when she passed away.
Before concluding the inquest, area coroner Alan Walsh said: “She was 108 years of age, a magnificent age in terms of longevity.
“She had been able to enjoy most of that life with the support of her devoted son.
“It was only at the later stages of her life that her mobility became affected.
“She became a widow 26 years ago. Before her death she had the devotion of her son who lived with her and was her carer but simply looked after her.
“On September 19 something very unexpected occurred. She came downstairs as normal with her son walking with her and the irony is that she negotiated the stairs but seemed to get her leg caught in the carpet and her leg collapsed under her.
“The surgery would have played a part.
“At 108 she would have had frailty and failing organs which would have led to a heart attack.
“But I do accept that the fall and treatment she had put additional stress on her heart and contributed to her death.”
Mrs Hodson’s death was ruled as a naturally occurring disease contributing to an accidental fall and treatment for injuries.
Speaking to her son Peter, Mr Walsh said: “I see your mother as a wonderful lady; strong, resilient and kept going.
“But she only kept going with your love, care and devotion.
“Your mother could not have carried on to 108 without your support and devotion.
“It’s just sad that an innocuous fall had such catastrophic consequences.
“You will have many, many happy memories.
“After years and years of that devotion you will miss her terribly.”
