Non-orthopaedic problems in the elderly on an acute orthopaedic unit: the case for geriatrician input.

Two hundred and fifty consecutive patients aged 70 years and over admitted to an acute orthopaedic unit were assessed with particular attention to their medical, social and functional status. The majority of patients were independent prior to admission and were discharged within six weeks. Prolonged hospital stay was associated wtih increasing age, multiple medical problems and poor pre-admission functional level, especially impaired mobility and cognition. A possible role for geriatric medical expertise in the early assessment and medical management of elderly orthopaedic patients is noted.