Considerations for the Older Post-Operative Orthopedic Patient

Presented by Stefany Shaibi

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Video Runtime: 43 Minutes; Learning Assessment Runtime: 25 Minutes

What effect does aging have on a patient’s ability to heal from an orthopedic surgery? What are complications that can arise? Orthopedic surgeries are increasingly common in the aging population. It is important to assess for potential complications and understand the effect of aging on the prognosis. After completing this course, the learner will be more prepared to safely treat this population.

Meet your instructor

Stefany Shaibi

Stefany Shaibi, PT, DPT, EdD Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (emeritus) Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (emeritus) Stefany Shaibi is an associate professor in the department of physical therapy at Creighton University. She is a board-certified clinical…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Aging and Healing

1. Aging and Healing

This chapter is an overview of the effect of aging on healing rates in the elderly. It is important to understand the prognoses following common orthopedic surgeries.

Comorbidities

2. Comorbidities

This chapter will cover the effect specific comorbidities have on healing rates in the elderly. We will also discuss other factors that affect healing (i.e. nutrition, etc). It is common to encounter a post-operative patient that also has comorbidities that will effect healing and prognosis.

Complications

3. Complications

This chapter discusses potential complications in a patient that underwent an orthopedic surgery. This includes infection, deep vein thrombosis, and pneumonia. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based tools for the differential diagnosis of the complications. This is important to determine the need for further medical assessment and/or intervention.

Other Considerations

4. Other Considerations

This chapter will discuss other considerations for your older patients that have experienced an orthopedic surgery. As a clinician it is important to understand the effect of immobilization on your patients. It is also important to maximize function and mobility.