title: Surgical Management of the Aging Athlete.
abstract: Epidemiologic data show that the number of middle aged (>40 yr) and elderly (>65 yr) individuals continues to increase steadily, creating an expanding need for sports medicine care. Management of injuries in this subset of patients is expanding well beyond sustaining a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living. In fact, many older individuals increasingly expect to maintain reasonably high activity levels throughout their lifespan as well as after musculoskeletal injury. While a number of the emerging physiologic benefits of physical activity in older patients have been outlined, no recent review has outlined the current best surgical techniques, rehabilitation protocols, and return-to-sport recommendations for older athletes after soft-tissue repair or reconstruction as well as joint replacement. The goal of orthopaedic care in the elderly patient is shifting from simple pain relief toward return to athletic activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brown University, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: DeFroda
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Klinge
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*