IECCMEXICO · Jun 2026
Frailty and Functional Recovery in Elderly Trauma Patients: Current Perspectives in Orthogeriatric and Multidisciplinary Care
By Valdés CAJ, Coj GAS, Escobar DPV et al.
Trauma in elderly patients has become a growing global healthcare challenge due to population aging, increased frailty, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and functional dependency. This review aimed to analyze current scientific evidence regarding frailty, functional outcomes, orthopedic complications, and multidisciplinary management strategies in geriatric trauma populations. A narrative and integrative review was conducted using scientific literature obtained from indexed databases including PubMed, Scopus, and peer-reviewed journals. The selected evidence included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and international guidelines related to traumatology, orthopedics, geriatrics, rehabilitation, and internal medicine. The reviewed literature demonstrated that frailty is one of the most important predictors of adverse outcomes after trauma, including mortality, delirium, prolonged hospitalization, postoperative complications, institutionalization, and incomplete functional recovery. Falls from standing height were identified as the principal mechanism of injury, with hip fractures representing one of the most clinically significant conditions associated with disability and loss of independence. The findings also showed that multidisciplinary orthogeriatric care models improve postoperative recovery, reduce complications, enhance early mobilization, and contribute to better functional outcomes when compared with conventional orthopedic management. Furthermore, the review highlighted important healthcare challenges in Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador, particularly regarding rehabilitation accessibility, geriatric specialization, and fall prevention strategies. The evidence supports the implementation of patient-centered and frailty-oriented approaches integrating traumatology, orthopedics, geriatrics, rehabilitation medicine, nutrition, nursing, and social support. Ultimately, comprehensive multidisciplinary management appears essential for improving survival, preserving independence, and optimizing quality of life in elderly trauma patients.