Changes in Preference for Surgery of Patients Signed up for Arthroscopic Procedures: COVID-19 Effect on Arthroscopic Patients in a University Hospital in Denmark

Background:

Covid-19 has impacted all aspects of society. In hospitals around the world focus has been on treating the deadly virus, and elective orthopedic surgical procedures has been postponed in Denmark, causing a stop for most arthroscopic procedures for months. It is established that certain conditions leading to arthroscopic orthopedic intervention has fluctuating symptoms symptoms and can have a favorable outcome on conservative treatment. Amongst these conditions who are also treated with non-surgical methods are subacromial decompression impingement[1][1], degenerative knee disease [2] and anterior cruciate ligament injuries[3]. An issue with further understanding the non-surgical effect on this patient group has beencould be reluctance to undergo conservative non-surgical treatment and opt for a surgical treatment. procedure. Because all elective surgery has been postponed in Denmark, and the following longer waiting period for surgery, this has created a unique opportunity to further investigate this patient category.

Aim of study: Investigate the impact of time on waiting list for surgery under COVID-19 pandemic on the preference for surgery in patients planned for arthroscopic surgery.

Discussion The current study will provide information on the change of preferences forto arthroscopic surgery in a patient population who are forced to wait for surgery for a longer period of time, with no possibility of seeking treatment in other hospitals.