Understanding Aging Bones & Joints
As we age, our musculoskeletal system undergoes profound changes. Bones naturally lose their density, muscles slowly lose their mass (sarcopenia), and the protective cartilage inside our joints gradually wears away (osteoarthritis).
For senior citizens, orthopaedic care is distinctly different from treating a young athlete. An elderly patient may have co-existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. Therefore, geriatric orthopaedics requires a highly specialized, gentle, and holistic approach—focusing not just on fixing a bone or joint, but on preserving the patient's independence, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Osteoporosis Management & Bone Strengthening
Osteoporosis is a silent disease. It causes bones to become porous, brittle, and dangerously weak. Most patients don't realize they have osteoporosis until a minor bump or fall causes a devastating fracture.
Prevention is the best cure. We strongly advocate for routine bone density assessments (DEXA scans) for women over 65 and men over 70. Based on these scans, we design personalized, non-operative medical therapies to rebuild bone mass. This may include targeted Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation, hormone-related therapies, or specialized medications like bisphosphonates that actively slow down bone loss and harden the skeletal structure.
Treating Fragility Fractures
When bones are weakened by osteoporosis, even a low-energy injury—like tripping on a rug and falling from a standing height—can shatter a bone. We call these Fragility Fractures.
The most common fragility fractures occur in the wrist (Colles fracture), the spine (compression fractures), and the shoulder. Treatment for these fractures in seniors focuses on rapid pain relief and early mobilization. While young patients might tolerate heavy plaster casts for months, putting a senior citizen in heavy casts can lead to severe joint stiffness. We often utilize lightweight, specialized braces or minimally invasive stabilizing surgeries to ensure seniors can keep moving and maintain their independence.
The Geriatric Hip Fracture: A Medical Emergency
A hip fracture in an elderly patient is one of the most serious orthopaedic emergencies. If a senior citizen falls and is unable to bear weight on their leg, immediate hospital admission is required.
Prolonged bed rest for an elderly patient is extremely dangerous, leading to life-threatening complications like pneumonia, deep vein blood clots, and severe bedsores. Our primary goal is to operate within 24 to 48 hours to fix the hip, so the patient can sit up and start walking immediately.
Depending on exactly where the hip is broken, we utilize highly specialized surgeries. For fractures near the joint (Intertrochanteric fractures), we use a Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN)—a titanium rod inserted through a tiny incision. For fractures of the hip neck (Neck of Femur), where the bone's blood supply is destroyed, we perform a Hemiarthroplasty (Partial Hip Replacement) to immediately replace the broken bone with a strong, artificial joint.
Non-Operative Joint Care for Seniors
Severe osteoarthritis of the knees and hips is a daily struggle for many seniors. While joint replacement surgery is a wonderful option, not every elderly patient is medically fit for major surgery due to underlying cardiac or respiratory issues.
For these patients, we offer advanced Conservative Joint Preservation. This includes intra-articular injections of Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation) to lubricate the grinding joint surfaces, localized anti-inflammatory therapies to reduce swelling, and the prescription of custom unloader braces and walking aids to take the mechanical pressure off the worn-out bones.
Fall Prevention & Safe Mobility at Home
The most effective treatment for a fragility fracture is preventing the fall in the first place. Geriatric orthopaedic care extends beyond the clinic and into the patient's home.
We work with families to implement crucial fall-prevention strategies. This includes removing loose floor rugs, installing bright night-lights, putting grab bars in the bathroom, and ensuring the senior patient has well-fitting, non-slip footwear. Furthermore, we prescribe targeted balance and mild resistance physiotherapy to improve core strength and stability, empowering seniors to navigate their homes with confidence.