Extremity injury

Abstract

The care of elderly patients with extremity fractures is challenging. Management involves not only surgical care but also a multidisciplinary approach with the medical doctors and anesthesiologists. Postoperative rehabilitation involves early mobilization and prevention of future osteoporotic fractures. Many of these fractures can be prevented. It is important to realize that an osteoporotic fracture is not just a broken bone but also a marker of deterioration of health and functional status in this patient population. This chapter will focus on prevention of osteoporotic fractures and general considerations of how to treat these fractures and review the evidence behind the current treatment recommendations of surgical management of these fractures.