key: cord-1055919-aydwt6d6
authors: Dittman, Lauren E.; Johnson, Joshua D.; Trousdale, Robert T.
title: COVID-19 and elective joint arthroplasty: Patient perspectives and considerations
date: 2021-05-07
journal: J Orthop
DOI: 10.1016/j.jor.2021.05.009
sha: 996f3c9c7965903e6b27ee016fb40d57dccbd30e
doc_id: 1055919
cord_uid: aydwt6d6

This study gauged patient perspectives regarding elective joint arthroplasty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible patients undergoing consultation for primary hip or knee arthroplasty received a survey with questions regarding opinions towards COVID-19 and on undergoing elective procedures during the pandemic. Of the 112 respondents, 78% believed that their condition warranted surgery despite COVID-19 circumstances. There were no differences in desire for surgery based on age, smoking history or comorbidities. Patients older than 65 years were significantly more concerned with skilled nursing facility placement. This survey suggests that the majority of patients are comfortable pursuing elective joint arthroplasty despite the pandemic.

expected quality of life improvements deferred. Although many hospitals around the country 23 have resumed elective surgery, there is still a considerable backlog of arthroplasty patients. One 24 study estimated that it will take from 7 (in a best-case scenario) up to 16 months to perform 90% 25 of the expected pre-pandemic forecasted volume of elective surgeries 3 . 26 Currently, COVID-19 case numbers in the United States continue to increase with over 27 29 million COVID-19 cases at the time of writing this article 4 . States and hospitals have 28 constantly needed to adapt their policies, as the incidence in their regions have fluctuated. Some

have recommended that all surgeries should be delayed, as long as that delay will not directly 30 cause harm to the patient 5 . Others suggest that increased waiting times for total joint arthroplasty 31 (TJA) can lead to increased pain, decreased function, and inability to achieve similar 32 postoperative quality of life outcomes 6-8 . In Europe, some recommend mitigating risk by 33 prioritizing elective surgery for low-risk patients 9 . Thus, as case counts continue to climb, and 34 coronavirus continues to be prevalent in our society, U.S. hospitals and surgeons may continue to 

Effect of COVID-19 on Hip and Knee Arthroplasty