title: Osteoporotic ankle fractures.
abstract: Ankle fractures are one of the most common injuries in the elderly and their incidence is anticipated to increase over the next 20 years. Appropriate management of ankle fractures in this population requires an understanding of the issues unique to the elderly. Osteoporosis must be considered when counseling patients about their ankle fracture. Good outcomes can be achieved with surgical fixation of ankle fractures in the elderly. Postoperative complications are higher in patients with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, and in patients who smoke. This article reviews how to evaluate and treat ankle fractures in elderly patients with osteoporosis, evaluates the outcomes, and discusses surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Joshua_Olsen@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Joshua R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Judith F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Baumhauer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors