Patients over the age of 65 are the fastest growing segment of the population, and it is estimated that it comprises 12.5% of the entire population in the developed countries. Advances in medicine, science and healthy lifestyles have promoted substantially increased lifespans, aswell as better quality of life with more physical activity. On the other hand, aging is associated with a variety of physiologic changes that affect orthopedic care. Due to natural involution processes older adults may not have the physiologic reserves necessary to promote healing or to prevent or recover fromcomplications. Degenerative diseases and injuries sustained from trauma in combination with physiologic changes and comorbidity in the aged pose a significant health problem in older adults and a major treatment challenge for an orthopaedic
surgeon. This review summarizes some of these unique challenges in care for older orthopaedic patient
