Review of orthoses for the geriatrician

With improvements in trauma care, more victims of catastrophic events are surviving to live with disabilities. In addition, life expectancy is increasing, so increasing numbers of older adults are facing their later years with disabling sequelae of disease or trauma. Along with this rise in persons coping with disabilities, the number, technical complexity, and availability of orthoses for various indications has increased dramatically. Consequently, geriatricians may have considerable confusion about both when to prescribe particular devices and which specialist to employ for recommendations. This article seeks to clarify the evaluation for and prescription of common orthoses, and to provide recommendations for both timing and direction of referrals for specialty input.

Duke Scholars

Author Helen Marie Hoenig Medicine, Geriatrics