Geriatrics Essentials Older people are predisposed to musculoskeletal injuries in general because of the following: A tendency to fall frequently (eg, due to age-related loss of proprioception, adverse effects of drugs on proprioception or postural reflexes, orthostatic hypotension) Impaired protective reflexes during falls For any musculoskeletal injury in older people, the goal of treatment is rapid return to activities of daily living.