FROM SURGICAL TO CONSERVATIVE- HAS THE COVID PANDEMIC REVERSED OUR STANDOFF TO ORTHOPAEDICS

COVID- 19 pandemic has brought the need to revisit the conservative management of orthopaedic injuries back into sharp focus. Over the years as trauma and orthopaedics have evolved, operatives techniques have been developed, along with refinement of implants and instruments with an aim of transforming contemporary treatment of fractures to provide anatomical or near anatomical alignment of the fractures, stable fixation, with early pain free range of motion and rehabilitation. [1]. The current Coronavirus outbreak has refocussed orthopaedic minds on managing many injuries conservatively, which would have otherwise been managed with operative fixations. It is mainly because of the restraints put on by this viral infection, limited availability of resources including personnel and operating theatre slots (whilst they were redirected to manage urgent clinical priorities including respiratory emergencies due to COVID- 19 infections on the frontline) and due to reluctance of undertaking operative intervention in an atmosphere of increased risk of viral transmission, responsibility of protecting staff and ‘social distancing’ guidelines [2].

Author(s): D.K.Jha( M.S)1* and Dr. Suuhasish Ray(M.Ch)2

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