Frailty is a state of vulnerability associated with aging, physiological decline, and depleted reserves. Frail people have impaired homoeostasis. As such, a relatively minor stressor event (such as a fall from a standing height) brings with it a disproportionately high risk of adverse outcomes including disability, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality.
In musculoskeletal medicine, the term “frailty” calls to mind osteoporosis and weakening of the bones, Additionally, there is loss of muscle mass (so-called sarcopenia), and with that, muscle weakness and impaired exercise tolerance. Nonetheless, even within musculoskeletal medicine, frailty is best understood as a whole-person concept, incorporating not only senescence of the musculoskeletal system, but declining endocrine, neurological, cardiovascular, immune and psychological function as well.
Because frailty increases with age, and because the world’s population is getting older, it is likely that the incidence of frailty-associated injuries will rise as well. To optimize outcomes if an injury is sustained despite efforts at prevention, it is important to recognize frailty, if present, and to choose treatments appropriate for a patient's fragile state.
Full Article - https://www.orthopaedia.com/low-energy-trauma-and-frailty/
