[Evaluation and risk assessment of geriatric ankle fractures? : What must be considered?]

The frequency of fractures in old age is steadily increasing including geriatric ankle fractures. These injuries are associated with increased morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. The consequences of courses prone to complications represent a relevant socioeconomic factor and the goal of treatment is to preserve the patient's mobility and quality of life. To ensure optimal perioperative care, the identification of geriatric patients, evaluation of the functional status and existing risk factors with subsequent interdisciplinary treatment are required. Various surgical procedures are available that enable early full weight-bearing. Risk factors such as malnutrition, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, angiopathy and postoperative delirium should be preoperatively screened and optimized. Open fractures pose a particularly high risk with respect to morbidity and mortality and require a special thorough individualized management. With an adapted interdisciplinary treatment strategy complications can be reduced and good functional outcomes can be achieved even after ankle fractures in very old people.