The Impact of Covid-19 on Patients Waiting for Knee Surgery

• Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Knee; Cartilage Injury; Knee Injuries; Knee Injuries and Disorders; Cartilage Damage; Osteochondral Defect
• Interventions: Other: Survey

• Registration Number: NCT05124613
• Lead Sponsor: University of Manchester

Brief Summary

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to the postponement and cancellation of elective orthopaedic surgeries worldwide. These delays to elective procedures combined with ongoing demand have led to increasingly longer waiting list times.

This cross-sectional pilot study aims to investigate the change in patients' perceptions of knee pain and function since being waitlisted for surgery. A bespoke survey will be administered to eligible patients over the phone from Trafford General Hospital, Manchester. The survey will also investigate the coping mechanisms and the preventative measures patients are taking to manage symptoms during the pandemic, and question what kinds of communication and support patient would like to be offered whilst waiting for treatment.

This study will improve clinicians' and researchers' understanding of how patients are coping with symptoms during this pandemic, and provide information on how to better support patients who are waiting for knee surgery. This information could be used to enhance orthopaedic care during, and in the aftermath, of this pandemic. The information gathered in this study may also be used to inform a larger multi-centre study.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-03-06
• Study Start: 2021-05-27
• Status Verified: 2021-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-11-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-11-17
• Study First Posted: 2021-11-18
• Last Update Posted: 2021-11-18
• Primary Completion: 2022-05
• Study Completion: 2022-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 300

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients identified by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon as being on a waiting list for surgery on their knee.
• Patients identified by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who are experiencing a delay to their knee surgery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Patients over 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients who are no longer waiting for their surgery (e.g. surgery performed elsewhere or patient has changed their mind about undergoing surgery).
• Patients who are on a waiting list for any surgery other than surgery of the knee.
• Patients who are on a waiting list for surgery at a hospital which is not a part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
• Patients who cannot read and speak English.
• Patients who cannot complete the survey over the phone.
• Patients who cannot give informed consent due to cognitive impairment (e.g. dementia or similar cognitive condition).

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Patients waitlisted for Knee Surgery	Survey	Adults identified by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the study site as being on a waiting list for surgery on their knee and as experiencing a delay to their knee surgery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to participate in this survey. The survey will include one validated questionnaire and a series of bespoke questions.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in perceived knee pain	Up to 2 years	The survey will ask patients to compare the level of pain they have in their knee now to the level of pain they had in their knee when they were put on the waiting list for knee surgery
Change in perceived knee function	Up to 2 years	The survey will ask patients to compare the level of function they have in their knee now to the level of function they had in their knee when they were put on the waiting list for knee surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Support	Up to 1 year	The survey will ask patients to describe what kinds of support they would like to receive whilst they wait for their delayed surgery to take place (current).
Change in symptom management	Up to 2 years	The survey will ask patients to describe how they are managing their symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and describe whether this has changed since the pandemic started.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Trafford General Hospital; 🇬🇧 Manchester, United Kingdom