COVID-19 - The Extent of the Impact on the Orthopaedic Sector

Description

The presentation discusses the substantial impact of COVID-19 on joint replacements in the UK. Adrian Sayers opens by highlighting how the pandemic has altered medical practices and has extensively affected joint replacement surgeries, projecting ongoing ramifications for the next 25-30 years. He emphasizes a significant deficit in joint replacements that developed during the pandemic and references a white paper published by the University of Bristol, outlining these trends.



Sayers explains that while waiting lists indicate demand, they do not accurately reflect the total need for surgeries, suggesting a latent demand that remains unaddressed. He reviews data from the National Joint Registry, contrasting 2019 and 2020 for joint replacements and pointing out marked declines, especially during the first lockdown. He notes that while trauma surgeries continued at a moderate pace, elective procedures like hip and knee replacements experienced drastic reductions.



Derek Pegg follows, discussing shifts in funding for joint surgeries. He points out a notable rise in independently funded surgeries as patients seek alternatives due to the backlog in NHS services, with figures showing increased reliance on private care. Pegg underlines the necessity of recovering surgical provision levels that remain below pre-pandemic numbers.



Sayers concludes by examining the path to recovery. He indicates that even a modest increase in surgical capacity will take nearly a decade to overcome the shortages exacerbated by COVID. Sayers stresses the importance of understanding true surgical demand, as many patients needing replacements remain unlisted, thus hidden from current metrics. He urges for concrete measures to accurately assess and address the ongoing deficits in joint replacement services.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221438

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