Abstract
Background The measures taken in the coronavirus disease pandemic have
had major structural and financial effects on orthopaedics and trauma
surgery as many surgeries in this field. Experience Appropriate reports from
non-surgical orthopaedics are not yet available.
Aims of the Study The study aimed to provide information on the
changes that occurred in a group of patients with spinal diseases undergoing
conservative in-patient treatment during the coronavirus disease pandemic,
with regard to the number of cases, patient structure and course of
treatment.
Materials and Methods Data from a total of 954 patients from an acute
department for conservative treatment of back pain from the years 2019 and
2020 were retrospectively compared, thus allowing conclusions to be drawn
about the course of in-patient conservative spinal treatment. In addition to
sociodemographic data, numerical pain rating scales, scales for impairment
by pain and physical function at the beginning and at the end of treatment
were analysed using descriptive statistics and differentiation tests.
Results The study showed a 21% reduction in the number of cases in
2020 compared with those in 2019. The patient structure has changed in terms
of diagnosis groups and physical function. The values of the assessments on
discharge and their pre-post differences show an almost identical pattern of
treatment outcomes before and after the start of the pandemic.
Conclusions The relatively small decline in the number of in-patient
admissions for the non-surgical treatment of specific spinal disorders
indicates that this treatment option was also necessary in the
pandemic-related crisis. With minor changes in the patient structure,
comparable treatment results could be achieved.
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic - specific back pain - conservative spine treatment
