The Impact of COVID-19 – Delayed Elective Sports Surgery on Young Patients

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the US healthcare system in unprecedented ways. As a response to the spread of the virus, elective surgeries throughout the country have been canceled, in an effort to minimize further transmission. To our knowledge, the effects of delayed surgeries on patients have not been investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and psychological consequences of elective surgery delays on young sports medicine patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study of patients, ages 10-25 years old, who had sports medicine surgery delayed between March and May 2020 due to the COVID crisis. All patients were still awaiting surgery at the time of the initial survey. Electronic surveys were sent to patients and included the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which yields a physical component score (SF12-PCS) as well as a mental component score (SF12-MCS), the PROMIS Psychological Stress Experience survey (PROMIS-PSE), and self-designed questions about patient concerns regarding the COVID crisis and delayed surgery. A higher score on SF-12 subscales signifies better health, whereas a higher score on the PSE indicates more psychological stress. Scores that deviate significantly from a mean of 50 indicate a difference from the general population norm. RESULTS: Of the 146 eligible patients with delayed elective sports surgeries, 89 patients (61%) elected to participate (mean age 17.7±2.9 years, 30% male). The median length of surgical delay was 36 days (range 9-54), and 79% of patients were awaiting surgery on the lower extremity. Delayed surgery patients scored significantly lower than population norms on the SF12-PCS (mean 39.4, CI 36.8-42.1, p<0.001). Males scored significantly higher than females on the SF12-MCS (53 vs 45.1, p=0.003), but the overall mean was not significantly different from the general population (47.2, p=0.08). The mean PSE score was significantly higher than population norms (57.9, CI 56.3-59.6, p<0.001), but did not differ by age or sex. Those with a history of mental health conditions reported higher PROMIS-PSE scores compared to those without (61.2 vs 56.9 p=0.02). Patients who reported being extremely concerned about their surgical delay had lower scores on the SF-PCS and SF-MCS, and higher scores on the PROMIS-PSE (p=0.03, p=0.01, and p<0.001 respectively), suggesting more significant physical and emotional symptoms. The majority of patients indicated that their physical and emotional symptoms were attributed mostly to their injury awaiting surgery, with patients reporting a median 50% attribution (IQR, 32-75%), compared to attributions for COVID or other concerns. The biggest concern with COVID-related surgical delays was a concern about not being back in time for a sports season. CONCLUSIONS: Young sports medicine patients reported significant physical and emotional symptoms associated with COVID-related surgical delays. Patients were most concerned about delays resulting in missed sport seasons. Those who reported greater levels of concern with surgical delays demonstrated lower physical and mental health scores and higher levels of psychological stress. The physical and psychological impact of surgical delays should be considered when caring for young athletes.