Orthopaedic Care of the Geriatric Patient

It is estimated that, by the year 2000, fifty percent of the population in the United States will be over age sixty. The "baby boomers" will have reached their "golden age." This situation will have far-reaching ramifications for society in general and will also cause the medical profession to evaluate critically its treatment of the elderly. In light of this, Dr. Sculco's text is a timely effort, and one that goes a long way toward addressing musculoskeletal disease and treatment in the elderly. The book is a collaborative effort of twenty-five authors, edited by Dr. Sculco. While it is certainly not meant to be an exhaustive reference, in its four hundred and eight pages it offers a broad overview of orthopedic treatment of the elderly and can certainly serve as a springboard to more detailed reading. The text is divided into four sections: the first dealing with the evaluation of the geriatric patient, the second with specific musculoskeletal dysfunction and treatment in the elderly, the third with medical diseases associated with musculoskeletal abnormalities in the aged (e.g., metabolic bone diseases), and the fourth with nursing care and rehabilitation of the elderly. Each section contains three to six chapters, all of which are well referenced. The book is intended for any physician who deals with elderly patients and will certainly be of much use to the orthopedist, gerontologist, internist, and family practitioner.