Balloon Kyphoplasty
The article discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in the elderly. The study compared data from elderly patients diagnosed with VCF in the years 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) to 2020. Although there was no change in VCF incidence, there were changes in patient characteristics, including a higher proportion of high-energy VCF and increased rates of recurrent fractures during 2020. The study also found higher rates of Ankylosing Spondylitis or Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis in 2020. Surgical treatments, particularly Precoutaneus Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP) + fixation, showed a tendency towards more complex procedures during the pandemic. The complication rate and length of hospital admission were significantly higher in 2020. Additionally, more patients chose home rehabilitation over institutional rehabilitation during the pandemic. The article concludes that while Covid-19 did not alter VCF incidence, it had an impact on patient characteristics and treatment options. The long-term effects of the pandemic on orthopedic conditions like VCF are still uncertain
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : most specialised spinal facility on Harley Street UK
Published article
The Covid-19 pandemic did not alter VCF incidence, but patients’ characteristics changed, affecting admissions, institutional rehabilitation, and a tendency towards complex surgery rather than BKP alone. It is still unclear if Covid-19 will remain an issue in the upcoming years, but its impact and lessons are still worthwhile.
Balloon Kyphoplasty Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Introduction: Studies investigating the Covid-19 Pandemic’s orthopedic aspects are accumulating, including reports on a 10-33% decrease in hip fracture incidence alongside shorter times to surgery. Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) have not yet been discussed. This study evaluated the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic’s first wave on VCF in the elderly. Method: A retrospective,
Abstract
Introduction: Studies investigating the Covid-19 Pandemic’s orthopedic aspects are accumulating, including reports on a 10-33% decrease in hip fracture incidence alongside shorter times to surgery. Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) have not yet been discussed. This study evaluated the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic’s first wave on VCF in the elderly.
Method: A retrospective cohort of elderly patients diagnosed with VCF between 2018-19 (Pre-Covid-19 pandemic) to 2020.
Results: The cohort included 172 patients above 65 years with VCF during 2018-2020. Patients’ age and gender were similar between the two study groups. We found a higher proportion of high-energy VCF during 2020 (10.5% vs 6.7%). Incidence of recurrent fractures was 7.5 times higher during 2020 (5.3% vs .7%, P =.06), and significantly higher rates of Ankylosing Spondylitis or Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis in 2020 (7.9% vs 1.5%, P=.04). VCF ED admission rates were similar, with 60% treated conservatively. Admitted patients underwent more surgeries in 2020 (66.7% vs 60%, P =.71) and a tendency towards Precoutaneus Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP) + fixation compared with BKP alone (15.8% in 2020 vs 7.5% in 2018-19, P =.29). RR for BKP + fixation vs BKP alone was 1.95, suggesting higher odds for a more complex surgery during the Covid-19 pandemic. The complication rate was significantly higher during 2020 (18.4% vs 3.7%, P <.001). Admission length was slightly longer during 2020 (12.2 days vs 9.9 days, P = .27), and time to surgery was marginally longer, 6.25 vs 5.3 days (P = .55). Many patients chose home over institutional rehabilitation during the Covid-19 pandemic (72.2% vs 58.8%).
The Covid-19 pandemic did not alter VCF incidence, but patients’ characteristics changed, affecting admissions, institutional rehabilitation, and a tendency towards complex surgery rather than BKP alone. It is still unclear if Covid-19 will remain an issue in the upcoming years, but its impact and lessons are still worthwhile.
Keywords: covid-19; osteoporotic fractures; pandemic; vertebral compression fractures.
The London Spine Unit : most specialised spinal facility on Harley Street UK
Read the original publication:
The Covid 19 Pandemic Effect on the Epidemiology of Thoracolumbar Fractures Presenting to the Emergency Department in Patients Above 65 years Old
