ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the prevalence of multiple fractures in the elderly and describes the mechanisms of injury, common injury patterns and the effect of socioeconomic status. There is relatively little literature describing the epidemiology and outcome of multiple fractures other than that published from Edinburgh. Multiple fractures in the elderly may occur as a result of high energy or low energy injuries. The majority of elderly patients sustaining multiple fractures require admission, despite a large proportion not needing surgical fixation, and more than half require an increased level of care before discharge. The literature suggests that a majority of multiple fractures in the elderly happen after low energy trauma and occur predominantly in females. Distal radius, proximal humerus and pelvic fractures are associated with an increased risk of sustaining multiple fractures. The commonest fractures involved in fall related double fractures are those involving the proximal femur, distal radius, proximal humerus or pelvis.
