Geriatric Injury: A Contemporary Review of Patterns, Prevention, and Treatment

Purpose of ReviewAdults 65 years and older represent a rapidly growing population in the USA and worldwide. Today, 16.8% of the US population is over 65, with an estimate that 20% of Americans will be over 65 by 2030. This review analyzes the complexities involved with preventing and managing geriatric injury.Recent FindingsGeriatric injury represents nearly 50% of all traumas, with ground-level falls and motor vehicle crashes being the most common mechanisms, resulting in predictable injury patterns. Conscientious medical and surgical management from the emergency department to discharge and beyond is paramount, as is enhancing geriatric injury prevention strategies.The frequency of geriatric injury will only continue to increase. Improving injury prevention strategies while understanding unique considerations of geriatric injury patterns and their overall management is imperative to optimize acceptable outcomes.