Assessment of the geriatric orthopaedic trauma patient

Elderly clients may suffer orthopaedic trauma from falls, motor vehicle accidents, abuse, or crimes. Falls are the most common reason for orthopaedic injury. While these same traumas occur in the young, older adults may not have the physiologic reserves necessary to promote healing or to prevent or recover from complications. Injuries sustained from trauma in combination with physiologic changes and comorbidity in the aged make orthopaedic trauma a significant health problem in older adults and a major treatment challenge. This article discusses diversity issues, physiologic changes, and assessment of the elderly that will help guide the orthopaedic nurse in providing care to elderly patients who experience orthopaedic trauma.