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The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopaedic Cases in Emergency Department
Nicolas Revelt1, Benjamin Harsin1, Carlos Garcia1
1Division of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 15% decrease in emergency department (ED) orthopaedic consultations, with shifts in injury types like more shoulder and fall injuries. This impacts healthcare planning for future emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered healthcare delivery and patient behavior.
- While elective orthopaedic surgeries were studied, the pandemic's impact on emergency department (ED) orthopaedic issues remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic problems presenting to the emergency department.
- To compare the characteristics of orthopaedic presentations before and during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted.
- Data from all ED patients receiving an orthopaedic surgery consult between March 11, 2019, and March 11, 2021, were analyzed.
- Orthopaedic problem characteristics were compared between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.
Main Results:
- A total of 2,487 orthopaedic problems were documented in the ED.
- A 15% reduction in overall orthopaedic problems was observed during the pandemic.
- There was an increase in shoulder and fall-related injuries, and a decrease in arm injuries.
- No significant demographic, injury mechanism, operative status, or disposition differences were found.
Conclusions:
- Orthopaedic surgery departments experienced fewer overall ED consults during the pandemic.
- Healthcare providers should anticipate reduced ED orthopaedic consultations following pandemic-like events.
- Future planning for orthopaedic services should consider these shifts in patient presentation during public health crises.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic and policies transformed how people live and receive healthcare. The pandemic's effect on elective orthopaedic surgeries has been well documented. However, its effect on orthopaedic problems in the emergency department (ED) has not. A cross-sectional retrospective study of all ED patients who received an orthopaedic surgery consult between March 11, 2019, and March 11, 2021, was conducted. Characteristics of orthopaedic problems before and during the pandemic were compared to elucidate what effect the pandemic had on orthopaedic presentations to the ED. The ED documented 2,487 orthopaedic problems. During the pandemic, 15% less orthopaedic problems were reported; however, more shoulder and fall injuries and less arm injuries occurred. No significant differences in demographics, mechanism of injury, operative status, or ED and overall disposition were found. Orthopaedic surgery departments should anticipate fewer ED consults overall after pandemic-like emergencies. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 35(1):0031- 034, 2026).
