The epidemiology of hip and knee primary and revision arthroplasties during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

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.