Clinical outcome before and after COVID-19 quarantine in patients affect of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Experience of orthopedic department in one of the first European country involved in COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The emergency caused by COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in a complete suspension and consequent delay of common planned surgery such as Total Hip replacement, Total Knee replacement and Partial Knee replacement. At the same time, the quarantine imposed changes to the normal lifestyle of these patients. The purpose of our study is to evaluate how the presence of these two factors affect the quality of live of patients living in the Italian red zone. METHODS: From outpatient pre-operative assessment we collect data about: demographic data, WOMAC score, NRS (0-10), PCS SF12 and MCS SF12 score. Selected patients were therefore contacted by phone call and re-assess using the same score. In addition, patients were asked if they intended to undergo the planned surgery again despite the current emergency RESULTS: 34 patient have been recruited for the study. Male/female ration was 16/18, mean age was 65 years. Pre operative outpatient assessment mean WOMAC score was 40.87 (SD ± 8.73), mean NRS was 8.29 (SD ± 1.03), PCS SF12 was 28.99 (SD ± 4.64) and MCS SF12 was 41.17 (SD ± 4.32). At re-evalutation the mean WOMAC score was 34.62 (SD ± 15.26), mean NRS was 5.32 (SD ± 2.85), PCS SF12 was 40.25 (SD ± 3.19) and MCS SF12 was 50.73 (SD ± 5.48). CONCLUSION: The never seen pandemic from Covid-19 has deeply changed our lifestyle, impacting normal daily activities but also on regular surgical activity in patients affected by osteoarthritis. Our study suggest the mandatory quarantine have a limited impact, or even beneficial effect, on clinical score of patient in list for joint replacement. (www.actabiomedica.it)