Scoring systems to evaluate elderly patients with hip fractures

Abstract

Purpose: To report about different scales and scoring systems used to evaluate elderly patient with hip fracture during the acute post-fracture phase and during post-operative rehabilitation.

Methods and results: Report of the different scales from a literature review.

Conclusions: Standard validated scales are one of the tools to perform such an evaluation process as objectively as possible and to evaluate surgical, medical and rehabilitative management in these elderly patients. These scales are only a complementary tool, and they cannot replace physical examination. However, these validated tools are probably more accurate than just clinical impression. The appropriate combination of clinical experience and these scales may well contribute to a better care of elderly patients with hip fractures.