The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Epidemiological Pattern of Fracture Clinic Attendances

Abstract

Purpose: The Covid 19 pandemic has had enormous impacts on healthcare and orthopaedic services globally. The aim of our study was to assess the impact that the covid 19 pandemic has had on the epidemiological pattern of outpatient fractures clinic attendances. Methods: An observational retrospective study was performed looking at epidemiology of fractures seen at our fracture clinics during a three-month period of level 5 restrictions of the covid 19 pandemic and the equivalent period pre pandemic. Data pertaining to demographics, aetiology and fracture types are presented. Results: Patient attendances decreased from 117 in the ‘non-covid era’ to 77 in the ‘covid era’ with a total of 109 and 77 fractures identified respectively. Patients were mostly female with a median age of 55. National lockdown measures impacted the mechanism of injury with expected decreases in sporting injuries. The most common fracture types involved the carpus and hand, foot and ankle and malleoli with the proportion of distal forearm fractures increasing in the covid era. Conclusion: Fracture clinic presentations decreased during the covid era with a higher proportion of fragility fractures. This data may raise awareness regarding the effect of lockdown on an orthopaedic outpatient service for resource allocation for potential future waves.