Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on foot surgeries.

Kuliński, Patryk; Tomczyk, Łukasz; Morasiewicz, Piotr

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal dysfunction due to deformities and injuries of the foot is a common orthopedic problem. OBJECTIVES To analyze the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on both elective and emergency foot surgeries. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study analyzed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective and emergency foot surgeries. The comparison included data collected in 2019 (March 15-October 15, when the epidemic did not influence the Polish healthcare system or patient demographics) and in a corresponding period in 2020. This study was conducted in the trauma and orthopedic surgery wards and the emergency departments of 2 regional Polish hospitals. RESULTS The analysis of the data from the orthopedic wards showed a reduction in the total number of admissions in 2020 by 55%. The number of elective and emergency interventions was differently related to the pandemic, with elective interventions declining by 72% and emergency interventions increasing by 27% in 2020 compared to 2019. The total number of elective foot surgeries in children decreased by 59% in 2020. The mean duration of hospital stay was approx. 2.5 days shorter in adults and 1.7 days shorter in children during the 2nd evaluation period. The emergency department data showed a decline of 32% in the number of patients presenting with injuries during the pandemic. Nonetheless, the pandemic did not affect the mean age of patients and the female-to-male ratio. CONCLUSIONS The global COVID-19 pandemic affected the epidemiology of foot injuries as well as the prevalence of foot surgeries in children and adults.