Orthogeriatrics
P. Falaschi, David Marsh
Abstract
The first edition of Orthogeriatrics [1] stressed that the key feature of older patients with fragility fractures is that they often have the dual problem of fragility (of the bone) and frailty (of their entire physiology). Therefore, the appropriate mode of management in the acute phase is orthogeriatric co-management, bringing to bear the relevant skillsets for dealing with these two problems simultaneously. We asserted that this is true in all parts of the planet but that card-carrying geriatricians are not essential-geriatric competencies can be acquired by other physicians in countries where the discipline of geriatric medicine is not well established-and we tried to show what these competencies are. This second edition takes that attempt further, in the context of two significant developments that have occurred over the last 3 years.