Objective To analyze the causes of post-operative cognitive dysfunction（POCD）in elderly orthopedic patients and the effect of nursing intervention.Method With a retrospective analysis method

the clinical data and the causes of POCD of 80cases of elderly orthopedic patients in our hospital were observed and the effect of nursing intervention was summarized.Results The causes of POCD in elderly patients were anesthesia

psychological abnormality and disorders of daily schedule.58cases were caused by anesthesia

accounting for 72.5%and compared with the other factors

the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）.After nursing intervention

18cases of patients recovered within three days

accounting for 22.5%;48cases of patients recovered within three to seven days

accounting for 60.0%;the rest 14cases of patients recovered within 7to 15days

accounting for 17.5%.Conclusion The main causes of POCD in elderly orthopedic patients are anesthesia

psychological abnormality and disorders of daily schedule.The effective nursing intervention can promote the recovery of cognitive dysfunction in patients;it is feasible in clinical nursing work and should be widely applied.