Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Epidemiology of Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy.

The purpose of our study was to comprehensively assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on knee and shoulder arthroscopy performed in an orthopedic department of a university hospital in Poland. This study compared the data on all shoulder and knee arthroscopy procedures performed in two different periods: The period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland (from March 4, 2020, to October 15, 2020) and the corresponding period prior to the pandemic (March 4, 2019, to October 15, 2019). The study evaluated epidemiological data, demographic data, and hospital stay duration. The total number of arthroscopy procedures conducted in the evaluated period in 2020 was approximately 8.6% higher than that in the corresponding 2019 period. The mean duration of hospital stay for orthopedic patients after their knee or shoulder arthroscopy was 3.1 days in 2020 and 2.8 days in 2019. Our study revealed the mean age of arthroscopy patients during the pandemic to be lower at 48.4 years than the 51.2 years recorded in 2019. The male-to-female ratio was shown to be lower at .85 during the pandemic, having decreased from 1.5 in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic did not reduce the number of arthroscopy performed at our center, and the mean age of the patients did not change. However, the pandemic had a marked effect on the mean duration of hospital stay and male-to-female ratio.

The Epidemiology of Hip and Knee Primary and Revision Arthroplasties during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of primary and revision arthroplasties of the hip and knee joint. METHODS: This study compared the data on knee and hip arthroplasty procedures from 2 hospitals (primary and revision) conducted in two periods: the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland (from 4 March 2020 to 15 October 2020) and the corresponding period prior to the pandemic (from 4 March 2019 to 15 October 2019). We compared the epidemiological data, demographic data, and hospital stay duration data from these two periods. RESULTS: Our analysis demonstrated that the total number of hip arthroplasties conducted in 2020 decreased by 26% in comparison with 2019. In the case of knee arthroplasties, the total number of procedures in the evaluated period in 2020 decreased by 44%. Our study also showed that the mean time of hospital stay for orthopedic patients following hip or knee arthroplasty was 22.87% shorter. The female-to-male patient ratio decreased between the analyzed periods, and this was 22.96% lower during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic in these two hospitals in Poland led to reduced numbers of hip and knee replacement procedures, shorter hospital stays, and a decreased female-to-male patient ratio. The mean age of patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty remained unchanged during the national lockdown with respect to the pre-pandemic figure.