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...
