Evidence-based Risk Stratification for Sport Medicine Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hinckel, Betina B.; Baumann, Charles A.; Ejnisman, Leandro; Cavinatto, Leonardo M.; Martusiewicz, Alexander; Tanaka, Miho J.; Tompkins, Marc; Sherman, Seth L.; Chahla, Jorge A.; Frank, Rachel; Yamamoto, Guilherme L.; Bicos, James; Arendt, Liza; Fithian, Donald; Farr, Jack

Orthopaedic practices have been markedly affected by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ban on elective procedures, it is impossible to define the medical urgency of a case solely on whether a case is on an elective surgery schedule. Orthopaedic surgical procedures should consider COVID-19-associated risks and an assimilation of all available disease dependent, disease independent, and logistical information that is tailored to each patient, institution, and region. Using an evidence-based risk stratification of clinical urgency, we provide a framework for prioritization of orthopaedic sport medicine procedures that encompasses such factors. This can be used to facilitate the risk-benefit assessment of the timing and setting of a procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic.