Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation

Abstract

The demographic “Silver Tsunami” is rapidly approaching. In 2011, the first members of the post–World War II baby boom will reach the age of 65 years. Over the next 20 years, the fastest growth of the world’s population will occur in this segment. As the older population increases, so will the orthopaedic conditions associated with aging—the need to successfully rehabilitate these patients and return them to society. It is becoming increasingly important to keep older adults functional and independent. These conditions will be burdensome to health care systems, which are now in crisis in many countries. Societies are struggling to find ways to provide high-quality, cost-effective care for the growing elderly population. This demographic tsunami will drive the need for more research and innovation in the care of the elderly orthopaedic patient. Authors writing on the care of this population are challenged to find a place to publish their manuscripts. Presently, there is no journal to address this need. Sage Publications, the editor, the deputy editor, and the editorial board have taken up this challenge to provide a forum to present original scientific research, best practice reviews, new techniques, care models, and case reports on the geriatric musculoskeletal patient. Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation (GOS) is a subspecialty journal devoted to musculoskeletal conditions affecting the aging population, and will present topics on the fastest growing segment of the population—the elderly. This journal is dedicated to the publication of the highest quality peer-reviewed manuscripts. The editor-in-chief welcomes articles that contribute to geriatric orthopaedic knowledge from all sources in all countries. We plan a bimonthly publication that is available online and in hard-copy format. Periodically, we will organize special editions on topics of great importance to improve the care of the geriatric musculoskeletal patient. This is the first journal with an emphasis on the care of geriatric orthopaedic patients and their subsequent rehabilitation. GOS is a place where multidisciplinary team members can advocate for elderly patients. This journal is a forum where we can help deal with the current global health care crisis, and where we can help answer the difficult health care questions affecting the elderly orthopaedic patient. We aim to serve the needs of a population, rather than simply publish manuscripts. When considering a journal to publish manuscripts concerning care of the aging orthopaedic patient, please consider submission to GOS. As the population ages, I fully expect the importance of GOS to grow as a source for up-to-date information on care of the elderly musculoskeletal patient. In this first issue, we present 2 articles about improving the care of the geriatric hip fracture patient. The frequently poor outcomes after hip fracture have shown little improvement over the past 30 years. These 2 articles show promising improvements in the quality of care with a comprehensive model of care. Also, lower cost care is shown to be linked with improved quality of care—a novel concept in modern medicine. A biomechanical study of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement augmentation of cadaveric femora is also presented in this issue. This study revealed little improvement when compared with control femora for this technique in a laboratory setting. The concept of bony augmentation of osteoporotic bone is presently an area of intense interest. Also presented in this first issue is an analysis of sacroiliac joint and pelvic floor motion with a lack of relation to prior gynecology surgery or lower back pain. Lower back pain and sacroiliac joint problems are frustrating common problems seen by many specialists. An interesting case report concerning gouty involvement of a total hip replacement is also presented, suggesting another condition to exclude in the workup of the painful hip arthroplasty. This great diversity of articles, all on geriatric orthopaedic patients, is the intent of this journal. We look forward to providing our readers with articles that will help them better care for their patients.