[Geriatric patients in orthopedics]

The treatment of geriatric patients in orthopedics is increasing in importance due to the demographic changes. In order to ensure an adequate treatment it is absolutely necessary to address age-specific risk factors. The decision between conservative and surgical treatment has to be made with the patient and the relatives together, taking all comorbidities into consideration and with the objective of preserving the quality of life. This decision also includes the fact that not only the immediate perioperative course but also hospital morbidity and long-term outcome are substantially influenced by typical age-related risk factors. Due to the advancement of interdisciplinary cooperation and an increase in quality and quantity of publications in this field, there are increasingly more unified treatment recommendations for geriatric patients in orthopedics.