Postponement of total knee arthroplasties due to pandemic causes significant deterioration on patients’ preoperative knee and quality of life scores.

Introduction Elective surgeries were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate healthcare strains, affecting majority of elective orthopaedic surgeries such as total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact on knee function and quality of life of patients who had their planned TKA postponed due to the pandemic. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of data collected in a tertiary hospital. Patients included were diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis and they were initially scheduled for primary TKA between January to April 2020 but surgery was postponed by at least 6 months from the initial operative date. 160 patients were included in this study (53 males and 107 females, mean age 68.0+8.1). Patients were assessed prior to initial surgery date and assessed again, prior to the postponed surgery date. Clinical scores included Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), Oxford Knee scores (OKS) and Short-Form 36 Physical and Mental Component Scores. (SF36 PCS and MCS). Paired T-test was performed for parametric data whereas Wilcoxon signed-rank analysis was performed for non-parametric data. Results Comparing initial preoperative versus postponement preoperative scores, the cohort had significantly poorer KSKS (38.4+15.4 and 36.5+15.4, p=0.034), SF36 PCS (34.3+9.2 and 32.7+8.6, p=0.02) and OKS (34.9+0.77 and 35.8+8.6, p=0.02) scores respectively. Conclusion The postponement of elective TKAs has resulted in a significant deterioration of knee scores and physical quality of live scores of patients in a short span of 6 months. Further studies can evaluate if there are repercussions on long term TKAs outcomes. Level of evidence Retrospective study, Level III