Surgical considerations in the geriatric patient

Area of Science:

• Podiatric surgery
• Geriatric medicine
• Orthopedic surgery

Background:

• Geriatric patients frequently experience foot deformities.
• Surgical intervention may be necessary for conditions like bunions, hammer toes, onychomycosis, arthritis, diabetic foot disorders, and neuromuscular diseases.
• Age-related physiological changes increase surgical risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review surgical candidacy and considerations for geriatric patients with foot deformities.
• To outline common foot conditions in the elderly requiring surgical evaluation.
• To discuss the risks and benefits of surgical procedures in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of common orthopedic, dermatologic, and systemic conditions affecting geriatric feet.
• Analysis of age-related physiological changes impacting surgical outcomes.
• Comparison of risks associated with office-based versus hospital-based surgical settings.

Main Results:

• Geriatric patients are candidates for foot surgery if medically cleared and psychologically prepared.
• Common surgical indications include orthopedic deformities, nail issues, arthritis, diabetic complications, and neuromuscular disorders.
• Increased comorbidity and organ function decline heighten perioperative risks, favoring simpler procedures and hospital settings.

Conclusions:

• Foot surgery in geriatric patients requires careful patient selection and risk assessment.
• Extensive procedures are generally contraindicated due to impaired healing and increased complication rates.
• Hospital-based care provides enhanced preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management for elderly surgical patients.