[Shoulder Surgery in the Elderly Patient]

Elderly patients may be different from the average population in regard to the treatment of shoulder disorders. Challenges are the decreased quality of bone, tendons and cartilage, decreased blood perfusion and a generally aged biology. The advantages however are the often more realistic expectations and more cautious use of the extremity, and the limited life expectancy of prosthetic implants is a less pressing issue. Local pathologies such as in the AC-joint or long head of the biceps may also in the aged patient be treated with infiltration or arthroscopic means. If however large rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis are present, (reverse) total shoulder implants are the treatment of choice due to the high reliability and uncomplicated rehabilitation.