The Lasting Impact of COVID-19 on Orthopaedics: A Mixed-Methods Review of Surgical Disruptions and Long COVID Implications
Description
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery worldwide, with deep, lasting consequences on orthopaedic care. Beyond this, patients now present with Long COVID syndrome, which carries musculoskeletal and perioperative implications. This review aimed to (1) evaluate the pandemic’s initial impact on orthopaedic care; (2) highlight the orthopaedic manifestations of Long COVID and potential clinical significance.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost identified studies quantifying changes in orthopaedic care delivery using data from pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (2020) time periods. A comprehensive search in the same databases captured emerging evidence on the orthopaedic manifestations of Long COVID.
Results: A total of 35 studies reported a 27.5% decrease in operative volume from 2019 to 2020 across all orthopaedic subspecialties. Emerging literature in 16 primary research articles described associations between Long COVID and bone marrow density loss, delayed wound healing, persistent inflammation, chronic pain, venous thromboembolism, post-operative delirium, and vascular aging.
Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting imprint on orthopaedic surgery by restricting care delivery and continues to introduce complex challenges in surgical planning and management of patients with Long COVID syndrome. Associations between Long COVID and conditions increasing perioperative risk warrant careful consideration by orthopaedic surgeons, with findings underscoring the need for further research. Integrating the findings of systemic operational changes and ongoing ramifications of Long COVID in orthopaedic patients will be critical for optimizing patient management and strengthening preparedness for future public health crises.
Citation Information
Christensen, Gavin; Zelenski, Kyle N.; Des Moines University; Zelenski, Kiefer J.; Hart, Jeremy; Harris, Zachary; Gupta, Bhavya; and Ogunleye, Temi D., "The Lasting Impact of COVID-19 on Orthopaedics: A Mixed-Methods Review of Surgical Disruptions and Long COVID Implications" (2026). Office of Research DMU Research Symposium. 43.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2025rs/2025abstracts/43
The Lasting Impact of COVID-19 on Orthopaedics: A Mixed-Methods Review of Surgical Disruptions and Long COVID Implications
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery worldwide, with deep, lasting consequences on orthopaedic care. Beyond this, patients now present with Long COVID syndrome, which carries musculoskeletal and perioperative implications. This review aimed to (1) evaluate the pandemic’s initial impact on orthopaedic care; (2) highlight the orthopaedic manifestations of Long COVID and potential clinical significance.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost identified studies quantifying changes in orthopaedic care delivery using data from pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (2020) time periods. A comprehensive search in the same databases captured emerging evidence on the orthopaedic manifestations of Long COVID.
Results: A total of 35 studies reported a 27.5% decrease in operative volume from 2019 to 2020 across all orthopaedic subspecialties. Emerging literature in 16 primary research articles described associations between Long COVID and bone marrow density loss, delayed wound healing, persistent inflammation, chronic pain, venous thromboembolism, post-operative delirium, and vascular aging.
Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting imprint on orthopaedic surgery by restricting care delivery and continues to introduce complex challenges in surgical planning and management of patients with Long COVID syndrome. Associations between Long COVID and conditions increasing perioperative risk warrant careful consideration by orthopaedic surgeons, with findings underscoring the need for further research. Integrating the findings of systemic operational changes and ongoing ramifications of Long COVID in orthopaedic patients will be critical for optimizing patient management and strengthening preparedness for future public health crises.
