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Orthopedic Injuries

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Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery

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Abstract

Orthopedic injuries in the elderly are a major challenge in geriatric medicine. This rapidly growing segment of the population sustains a disproportionate number of fractures and, more than other age groups, requires treatment tailored to the needs of the entire patient, not just the fracture itself. As with all orthopedic care, the goal of treatment in the elderly is to restore or improve on their preinjury level of function. However, a fracture superimposed on the combination of preexisting physical infirmities and systemic medical problems often makes for a tenuous ability to maintain independent living status. Immobilization of an extremity or dependence, even temporarily, on a walker or crutches can render a patient unable to manage independently and so require institutional care. Consideration of this point is mandatory when planning the treatment of any orthopedic injury in the elderly.

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Authors
  1. Jeffrey H. Richmond
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  2. Kenneth J. Koval
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  3. Joseph D. Zuckerman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Ronnie A. Rosenthal MD (Associate Professor, Chief, Surgical Service) (Associate Professor, Chief, Surgical Service)

  2. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, 06516, CT, USA

    Ronnie A. Rosenthal MD (Associate Professor, Chief, Surgical Service) (Associate Professor, Chief, Surgical Service)

  3. Department of Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA

    Michael E. Zenilman MD (Associate Professor and Vice-Chairman, Chief of Surgery) (Associate Professor and Vice-Chairman, Chief of Surgery)

  4. Jack D. Weiler Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA

    Michael E. Zenilman MD (Associate Professor and Vice-Chairman, Chief of Surgery) (Associate Professor and Vice-Chairman, Chief of Surgery)

  5. Wyoming Valley Surgical Associates, Kingston, 18704, PA, USA

    Mark R. Katlic M.D. (Chief of Thoracic Surgery) (Chief of Thoracic Surgery)

  6. Wyoming Valley Healthcare System, Wilkes-Barre, 18702, PA, USA

    Mark R. Katlic M.D. (Chief of Thoracic Surgery) (Chief of Thoracic Surgery)

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© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Richmond, J.H., Koval, K.J., Zuckerman, J.D. (2001). Orthopedic Injuries. In: Rosenthal, R.A., Zenilman, M.E., Katlic, M.R. (eds) Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3432-4_62

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3432-4_62

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-3434-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-3432-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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