Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients’ Perceptions of Safety and Need for Elective Foot and Ankle Surgery in the United States

Jimmy J. Chan; Kevin K. Chen; Peter Choi; Edward O. Rojas; Oliver N. Schipper; Amiethab Aiyer; Cesar de Cesar Netto; Amgad M. Haleem; Anish R. Kadakia; Ettore Vulcano

doi:10.1177/24730114211013788

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients’ Perceptions of Safety and Need for Elective Foot and Ankle Surgery in the United States

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients’ Perceptions of Safety and Need for Elective Foot and Ankle Surgery in the United States

Jimmy J. Chan, Kevin K. Chen, Peter Choi, Edward O. Rojas, Oliver N. Schipper, Amiethab Aiyer, Cesar de Cesar Netto, Amgad M. Haleem, Anish R. Kadakia and Ettore Vulcano

Foot & ankle orthopaedics, Vol.6(2), pp.247301142110137-24730114211013788

01/01/2021

DOI: 10.1177/24730114211013788

PMCID: PMC8702750

PMID: 35097451

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Abstract

Background: With the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective foot and ankle surgeries were delayed throughout the United States to divert health care resources and limit exposure. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on patient’s willingness to proceed with elective procedures once restrictions are lifted and factors contributing to such decision. Methods: Patients across 6 US orthopedic institutions who had their elective foot and ankle surgeries cancelled secondary to the pandemic were given a questionnaire. Specifically, patients were asked about their willingness to move forward with surgery once restrictions were lifted and if not why. Pain-level and pain medication use were also assessed. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors that contribute to patient’s decisions. Results: A total of 150 patients participated in this study. Twenty-one (14%) opted not to proceed with surgery once restrictions were lifted. Forty-three percent (n = 9) listed concern for COVID infection as the reason; however, 14% of them would proceed if procedures were performed in surgery center. Twenty-nine (19% of the total cohort) patients had increased pain and 11% of patients were taking more pain meds because of the delay to their procedure. Patients who decided not to proceed with surgery reported pain reduction (3% vs 14%) and lower increase in pain medication used (5% vs 12%). Conclusion: COVID-19 has made a significant impact on the health care system. Delay of elective foot and ankle procedures impact patient quality of life and outcomes. Access to surgery centers may provide a partial solution during the pandemic Level of Evidence: Level III.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients’ Perceptions of Safety and Need for Elective Foot and Ankle Surgery in the United States
Creators: Jimmy J. Chan - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Kevin K. Chen - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Peter Choi - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Edward O. Rojas - University of Iowa
Oliver N. Schipper - Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic, Arlington, VA, USA
Amiethab Aiyer - University of Miami
Cesar de Cesar Netto - University of Iowa
Amgad M. Haleem - University of Oklahoma, OK, USA
Anish R. Kadakia - Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
Ettore Vulcano - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Foot & ankle orthopaedics, Vol.6(2), pp.247301142110137-24730114211013788
DOI: 10.1177/24730114211013788
PMID: 35097451
PMCID: PMC8702750
NLM abbreviation: Foot Ankle Orthop
ISSN: 2473-0114
eISSN: 2473-0114
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2021
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Record Identifier: 9984303987902771

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