The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons conducted several surveys to understand how COVID-19 affected the musculoskeletal health system and to support members as they resume elective surgeries.
In May, 1,523 AAOS members completed surveys.
Seven findings on elective surgery resumption:
1. Fifty-five percent of surgeons believed surgery would resume by mid-May. Nearly all surgeons believed levels would return to normal by mid-June.
2. Forty-four percent said existing COVID-19 infection rates would be key to determining when elective procedures resume.
3. For 41 percent of respondents, the ability to preoperatively test every patient for COVID-19 would play a key role in resumption.
4. Fifty-six percent of respondents said they were taking a somewhat cautious approach to resuming electives, reintroducing these cases gradually.
5. Sports (57 percent), knee (50 percent) and hand and wrist (47 percent) were the procedures expected to ramp up first.
6. On average, 34 percent of patients postponed surgeries by more than three months.
7. Returning to pre-COVID-19 surgical levels will take about 11 weeks, respondents indicated.