Orthopaedic surgery in the elderly.
Demographic estimations for the UK predict an increase in the number of major orthopaedic surgical procedures in elderly people. The two major indications for surgery are osteoporotic fractures and severe osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints. Coexisting medical disease makes elderly patients a surgical high-risk group, and mortality and morbidity after emergency surgery remains high.
Treml
J
J
Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea.
Kroker
P B
PB
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology