COVID-19 – Changes in the presentation and management of shoulder and elbow trauma in a UK district general hospital orthopaedic department. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faria, Giles; Virani, Siddharth; Shaeir, Mohammed; Velazquez-Ruta, Patricia; Tadros, Baha John; Arealis, Georgios; Dhinsa, Baljinder Singh; Relwani, Jai
• Other Names: Zuckerman Joseph D. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Shoulder & elbow. Volume 13:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: COVID -- response -- shoulder -- elbow -- trauma; Elbow -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Periodicals; Shoulder Joint -- Periodicals; Elbow Joint -- Periodicals; 617.572005
• DOI: 10.1177/1758573220977028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5732

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on healthcare systems. We aim to quantify the impact of this outbreak on shoulder and elbow trauma in our institution. Methods: We prospectively collected data on patients presenting to our hospital with shoulder and elbow injuries during COVID-19. This included the number of attendances to the emergency department, fracture clinic, inpatient admissions and operative treatments. This was compared to a pre-COVID-19 period. We also assessed the efficacy of telephone clinics. Results: There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of emergency department and fracture clinic attendances with upper limb complaints. The number of in-person fracture clinic reviews also decreased, with a reciprocal exponential increase in telephone consultations. We recorded a decrease in the number of shoulder and elbow trauma procedures performed. There was a small increase in the proportion of injuries treated conservatively during COVID-19. Our telephone clinics yielded a diagnosis and management plan in many cases and patient perspective appeared favourable. Conclusion: We have noted significant change in the upper limb caseload. Certain injuries have reduced, likely due to COVID-19 lockdown. Moreover, we consider several changes to current practices could be taken forward after the pandemic.