*UPDATE – We are no longer offering virtual visits, as they are no longer covered by insurance*
A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic could result in the cancellation or delay of more than 28 million elective surgeries worldwide in 2020.
The findings were based on a 12-week period of “peak disruption” of hospital services caused by the pandemic. Data involving more than 350 hospitals across 71 countries suggests that each additional week of disrupted service would result in another 2.4 million elective surgery cancellations.
Researchers said the cancellations could have dire health effects for those who were set to undergo an operation.
“Although essential, cancellations place a heavy burden on patients and society,” said study author Dr. Aneel Bhangu, consultant surgeon and senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham. “Patients’ conditions may deteriorate, worsening their quality of life as they wait for rescheduled surgery. In some cases, for example cancer, delayed surgeries may lead to a number of unnecessary deaths.”
Surgical Cancellations
Researchers said that orthopedic surgeons and their patients will be hit the hardest, with an estimated 6.3 million cancelled or postponed elective surgeries. The team also noted that while the majority of cancelled surgeries will not be for cancer-related conditions, more than two million cancer surgeries are expected to be cancelled or delayed as a result of the virus.
Even if these surgeries are simply postponements, they can have a significant effect on the patient. For example, benign cancers can get bigger and cause more pain if they compress structures, or knee replacement candidates may see more deterioration in their surrounding knee structures prior to replacement, making a full recovery more difficult once the procedure is performed. Even though they may be elective in nature, it doesn’t mean that postponement isn’t potentially harmful.
There’s also the issue with delayed or cancelled preventative exams. How many cancers will go undetected because patients couldn’t easily get in for a colonoscopy or other age-related wellness exams? Early detection is critical for many health conditions, and I fear that we may see a spike in cancer and untreated heart disease because physicals and other routine examinations may be affected by COVID-19.
Please, take care of your health during the pandemic, and see your healthcare provider for routine examinations and elective operations as more clinics begin to perform an increased amount of procedures. And if you need help with a foot and ankle condition, please give Dr. Silverman and his team a call at (952) 224-8500 or click here to learn more about our virtual appointment system.
