• Andris Jumtins, Ruta Jakusonoka, Andris Vikmanis, Dmitrijs Grigorjevs, Modris Ciems, Ivans Krupenko, and Alexander Lerner.
• Department of Orthopaedics, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia.
• Isr Med Assoc J. 2021 Feb 1; 23 (2): 71-75.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) crisis has affected how hospitals work and has had an effect on orthopedic surgery.ObjectivesTo compare patient management and low-energy and high-energy trauma treatment at two orthopedic trauma units during the COVID-19 crisis and to clarify resource demands and preparedness in orthopedic clinics during the state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted at two orthopedic trauma units from 14 March 2019 to 14 April 2019 and from 14 March 2020 to 14 April 2020.ResultsThe proportion of patients admitted in the multi-trauma orthopedic unit decreased by one-third, the mean time interval from admission to surgery significantly decreased, and the number of surgeries and mean length of stay in hospital decreased in 2020 compared to the same test period in 2019. In the orthopedic trauma unit, the number of patients and surgeries also decreased.ConclusionsOur study highlights changes in orthopedic injury characteristics in two orthopedic units during the COVID-19 crisis in Latvia and compares these changes to data from the same time period one year earlier.

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