Female and Younger Orthopaedic Sport Medicine Patients Are More Negatively Affected by COVID-19–Related Health Care Closures

Abstract

Purpose To determine if sex or age influence whether COVID-19 health care closures affect the health, recovery, and access to resources of pre- and post-operative orthopaedic sport medicine patients. Methods Electronic questionnaires assessing physical and emotional health, the value of virtual care, and access to resources were distributed to patients with postponed (PP) orthopaedic restorative surgeries and those within three-months post-operative (PO) at the time of the COVID-19 health care closures. The EQ-5D-3L was included as a standardized measure of general health. Chi-square tests compared responses between sexes and age groups. Unpaired t-tests compared the EQ VAS by sex, and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared the EQ VAS by age. Results Females in the PO group were more likely to report that their recovery was delayed (49.5% vs 36%) and that closures had negatively affected their recovery (p = 0.013). Females in the PP group reported more symptoms of pain/discomfort on the EQ-5D-3L (p = 0.023). In the PP group, patients aged 25 to 44 years were most likely to identify pain as a concern (p = 0.54). In the PO group, patients younger than 45 years reported a significantly lower mean EQ VAS health state ( p = 0.017). For the final analysis, there were 115 subjects in the PP group and 198 in the PO group. Conclusion This study demonstrated significant sex- and age-specific differences in health and recovery among orthopaedic sport medicine patients as a result of the COVID-19 health care closures. Females reported significantly more pain, anxiety, and delay in their rehabilitation, while younger patients reported greater negative impacts and worse overall health state. Level of Evidence IV

Focus areas and methodological characteristics of North American-based health disparity research in sports medicine: a scoping review

“…The included research articles were classified into five mutually exclusive primary focus areas during the data extraction phase: (1) access to and participation in sports , (2) access to SEM care , (3) health-related outcomes in SEM , (4) study methodology and (5) provider representation in SEM (table 1, online supplemental table S4). Most included studies were related to access to and participation in sports (n=45, 44%),17–61 followed by access to SEM care (n=28, 27%),62–89 health-related outcomes in SEM (n=24, 23%),90–113 provider representation in SEM (n=5, 5%)114–118 and methodology (n=1, 1%) 119…”

Effect of COVID-19 Social Isolation Policies on Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…2 It is also consistent with recent data from preand postoperative sports medicine, which has shown that female patients more frequently report anxiety and concerns regarding COVID-19-related health care closures as compared with male patients. 11 Despite limited access to rehabilitation facilities and gymnasiums, patients were still able to undertake a variety of rehabilitation exercises, and many supplemented these with small equipment items, such as resistance bands and dumbbells. As might be anticipated, the frequency at which rehabilitation exercises were performed reduced as the time from surgery increased.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports Medicine Patient Care

“…Multiple studies have reported on the clinical patterns of COVID-19 in athletic populations and provide valuable frameworks for optimal athlete recovery and care moving forward. 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 …”

“…Female orthopaedic patients also appear to be more negatively impacted by pandemic-related physiotherapy facility closures, reporting significantly more pain, anxiety, and delayed recovery during rehabilitation. 22 Therefore, identifying various demographic trends in the clinical presentation of athletes with COVID-19 may further aid in the early management of the disease and limiting community transmission.…”