[Falls incurred by the elderly resulting in injury: pathogenesis and rehabilitation]

Falls prove to be a significant problem in geriatrics. 5% of falls lead to fractures and 10% to soft tissue injuries. We examined retrospectively the rehabilitation course of 78 patients, who had been treated by us after falls leading to injury. Fractures of the neck of femur predominated with 57%, followed by other fractures of the lower limbs with 13%. The remainder of the falls with consequences of injury lead to fractures of other parts and soft tissue injuries. In 34% of the falls, the cause was estimated as predominantly intrinsic and in 11% as extrinsic. 19% of the falls were a mixture of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In 36% of the cases the cause remained unknown. Before the fall occurred, 72% were independent, 26% needed help and 1 patients was in need of care. After finishing rehabilitation 54% were independent, 34% needed help and 11% were in need of care. 86% were able to return to their usual social surroundings. Rehabilitation after falls with consequences of injury goes beyond mere "orthopedic" treatment. To minimize the future risk of fall, a precise analysis of the cause of fall should be implemented. One should moreover try to optimize the environment to reduce the risk.