title: [Trauma surgery in the elderly].
abstract: The indications for the surgical treatment of fractures in elderly patients should consider the individual's general health status, the specific pattern of injury, and the ability of the patient to actively participate in the rehabilitation process. Intramedullary systems are the gold standard for shaft and metaphyseal fractures due to the decreased operative trauma and the possibility of early weight bearing and functional treatment. Minimally invasive locking plate systems can frequently be applied, offer decreased risk of secondary fracture displacement, and have great advantages in the treatment of periprosthetic fractures with firm implants. The possible reasons for falls should be diagnosed in order to allow their prevention. An exact assessment of the severity of osteoporosis in important in allowing adequate treatment for associated pain and for decreasing the risk of future osteoporosis related fractures.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Diakonie-Krankenhaus, Schwäbisch Hall. hsiebert@diaksha.de
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Siebert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011182:Postoperative Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery