Geriatric Considerations

Question 1

Periarticular connective tissue (PCT)

Answer 1

Ligaments joint capsule, aponeurosis, tendon, mm, skin: displays changes that result in increased stiffness of PCT; mobility is servilely compromised in the tissue

Question 2

Age related changes: with PCT

Answer 2

• increased cross links in collagen
• decreased elastin
• predominance of collagen
• decreased water content in joints and tissues
• decreased hyaluronic acid
• increased fibrin protein

Question 3

Decreased elastin:

Answer 3

• Designed for mobility, reduces with age
• Returns to shape after deformation, reduces with age
• Time sensitive more so than force sensitive with respect to changes

Question 4

Predominance of collagen:

Answer 4

• Designed for immobility, increases with age
• Poor general mobility
• Excellent tolerance to tensile forces
• No tolerance to compression forces

Question 5

Decreased ___ content in joint and ____

Answer 5

water

tissue

Question 6

Decreased _______ acid

Answer 6

hyaluronic

naturally occurs in humans for eye and joint lubrication/moisturizer

Question 7

Increased ______ protein involved in the clotting of ____: forms a _____

Answer 7

fibrin
blood
mesh

Question 8

In relation to stretch:

Answer 8

• aging tissue has lost its ability to respond over time to prolonged stretch due to loss of elastin
• aging tissue also does not respond as well to large magnitudes of force due to alterations in plasticity (ability for tissue to change under load)
• Oscillations are the most effective way to increase ROM in the elderly (utilizing the physiological evidence above) evidence is not conclusive

Question 9

Hyaline cartilage:

Answer 9

-Dehydrates and fibrillates (fragments and splits) which results in decreased ability to tolerate compression and tensile forces

Question 10

Some loss of bone mass is ______ with aging; it may be so _____ as to be considered osteoporosis (especially in ______), which results in a decreased ability of bone to support loads & resist ______ forces.

Answer 10

associated
severe
women
external