Medical care of elderly patients with hip fractures

Medical morbidity associated with hip fractures in the elderly population i s considerable. The all cause mortality rate is 24% at 12 months. The funct ional limitations of survivors can be pronounced. As the American populatio n ages, hip fractures will substantially affect the utilization of hospital resources. Several issues, including preoperative clearance and related su rgical timing, deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, delirium, nutrition, and urinary tract management, are important in the care of these patients, A c lose partnership between orthopedic surgeons and clinicians provides the be st strategy of care for the subset of patients with multisystemic complicat ions.