Impact of COVID‐19‐related social restrictions on orthopaedic trauma in a level 1 trauma centre in Sydney: the first wave

• Published in: ANZ journal of surgery Vol. 91; no. 1-2; pp. 68 - 72
• Main Authors: Probert, Annabel C., Sivakumar, Brahman S., An, Vincent, Nicholls, Sarah L., Shatrov, Jobe G., Symes, Michael J., Ellis, Andrew M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01.01.2021; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Australia; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Demography; Disease control; Emergency procedures; Female; hospital presentations; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Injuries; Injury prevention; Logistics; Male; Musculoskeletal System - injuries; orthopaedic surgery; Orthopedic Procedures - statistics & numerical data; Orthopedics; Pandemics; Physical Distancing; Public health; Retrospective Studies; Social distancing; Sports related injuries; Surgery; Trauma; Trauma Centers - statistics & numerical data; Viral diseases; Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology; Wounds and Injuries - surgery; Australia; COVID-19; trauma; orthopaedic surgery; hospital presentations; social distancing
• DOI: 10.1111/ans.16375
• ISSN: 1445-1433

This study examines the impact that social distancing measures introduced to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have had on the orthopaedic trauma load at a level 1 trauma hospital in Sydney. Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has affected communities worldwide. This study examines the impact that public health measures to control viral spread have had on orthopaedic trauma presenting to an Australian level 1 trauma centre. We hypothesized that the volume of orthopaedic trauma in the period of social distancing would decrease, and the mechanisms of injury differ, compared to pre‐pandemic times. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients requiring emergency orthopaedic surgery between 16 March and 21 April 2020 (the period after social distancing and lockdown commenced), and compared it to the group of patients from the same period in 2019. We collected demographic data, as well as injury type, anatomical location, mechanism of injury and surgical logistics. Results During the COVID‐19 period, total emergency operations performed decreased by 15.6% compared to the same period in 2019. Orthopaedic admissions decreased by 30.8%. Demographics of the groups were unchanged. Anaesthetic time decreased, but total time spent in the operating theatre was unchanged. Road trauma comprised a similar proportion of cases overall; however, cycling‐related accidents increased significantly, making up 11% of presentations during COVID‐19. Sporting injuries, work‐related injuries and multi‐traumas reduced during the pandemic. Conclusion The impact of COVID‐19‐related lockdown measures and social distancing on orthopaedic trauma in Australia has been an overall decrease in volume of cases, combined with significant changes in the mechanisms of injury necessitating surgery.