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Ankle Fractures

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Fractures in the Elderly

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME))

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Abstract

Ankle fractures are a commonly encountered injury in the elderly that may present unique challenges to effective treatment. A strong evidence-based consensus does not exist in the orthopaedic literature regarding the best surgical indications and treatment strategies for these patients. Patient comorbidities such as diabetes and vascular disease and gender, in addition to age, all contribute to elevated risks of infection, wound complications and general perioperative morbidity and mortality. Geriatric ankle injuries are more likely to have open or complex fracture patterns after low-energy trauma. Pre-injury activity level and postoperative care goals can and should affect treatment decisions. Historical data suggested poor outcomes in the operative management of geriatric ankle fractures, but more recent studies suggest that advances in surgical techniques and implant options have improved postoperative results. Appropriate utilization of augmented fixation, locking screw technology, minimally invasive techniques and other methods can improve surgical results in this population with frail soft tissue envelopes and poor bone quality. This chapter discusses current strategies for diagnosis and treatment of geriatric ankle fractures that account for the special risks and uncertain outcomes unique to the elderly population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Haborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Romie Gibly

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Daniel Farber

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University/Grady Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Mara L. Schenker

Authors
  1. Romie Gibly
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  2. Daniel Farber
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  3. Mara L. Schenker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mara L. Schenker .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chair, Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Robert and Arlene Kogod Professor of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Robert J. Pignolo

  2. Co-Director, Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Reconstruction, Advisory Dean, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Jaimo Ahn

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Gibly, R., Farber, D., Schenker, M.L. (2018). Ankle Fractures. In: Pignolo, R., Ahn, J. (eds) Fractures in the Elderly. Aging Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72228-3_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72228-3_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72226-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72228-3

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