Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes: a Multi-Centre Perspective From the State of Telangana

• Published in: Indian journal of orthopaedics 2020-12, Vol.54 (Suppl 2), p.368-373
• Main Authors: Maryada, Venkateshwar Reddy, Mulpur, Praharsha, Guravareddy, Annapareddy Venkata, Pedamallu, Sudhir Kumar, Vijay Bhasker, Bolgam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conservative Orthopedics; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original; Original Article; Orthopedics; Surgical Orthopedics
• ISSN: 0019-5413; 1998-3727
• DOI: 10.1007/s43465-020-00226-z

Background The COVID-19 outbreak reached pandemic proportions in March 2020, and the government of India declared a nationwide lockdown on 24th March, 2020. All vehicular movement, construction work, industries, national highways, etc. remained closed during lockdown. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of lockdown on the case load and epidemiology of orthopaedic trauma cases in the state of Telangana. Methods This study was a multi-centre, retrospective observational study. Data were collected from 8 teaching hospitals, 8 corporate hospitals, 1 dedicated industrial trauma, and hand injury center and 56 consultants with individual practice. Data were collected in two groups, pre-lockdown period (23rd Feb to 24th March) and lockdown period (25th march to 25th April). Patient demographics, type of injury, and cause of injury were collected. This was done using an online survey form and retrieval of case data from health records. Results There was a significant decrease in total trauma numbers during lockdown by 1266 cases (pre-lockdown n  = 2020 and lockdown n  = 754), amounting to a decrease by 62.7% ( p