March 26, 2020
Covid-19 Leaves Thousands of Osteoarthritis Patients Without Treatment
Hip and knee surgeries, as well as in-person osteoarthritis programs, have been canceled or postponed due to Covid-19. Healthcare system reprioritizations have had significant consequences for the millions of people living with osteoarthritis. Patients over the age of 70 are particularly affected, as they are advised to stay home as much as possible due to infection risks.
“If healthcare systems are to provide osteoarthritis patients with the right care now and in the future, more people need to be aware of digital treatment options and their proven effectiveness.” – Leif Dahlberg, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Joint Academy.
Increased Wait Times for Osteoarthritis Treatment
A large percentage of osteoarthritis patients are 45 years or older, with one in four individuals diagnosed with the condition. Each year, thousands of hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed due to osteoarthritis, and many patients participate in osteoarthritis education programs. Even before Covid-19, wait times for surgery and treatment programs were long, and now, due to cancellations and postponements, they are expected to increase significantly. It is estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 osteoarthritis patients will be left without care every month in the near future.
“We are already seeing that many hip and knee surgeries are being postponed as healthcare systems shift their priorities due to Covid-19. Considering the number of osteoarthritis-related surgeries performed annually, this will have a major impact on public health—especially for those over 70. When surgeries and in-person treatments are postponed, patients are at risk of becoming sedentary, which is the worst possible outcome for osteoarthritis, as continuous treatment and high adherence are crucial. That’s why we are pleased to be able to continue treating patients digitally.” – Leif Dahlberg
Digital Treatment as an Alternative
Older individuals are being advised to avoid large gatherings and reconsider visits to healthcare facilities, making it difficult for many to continue their treatment if it relies on in-person visits, such as physical osteoarthritis programs. This is particularly concerning for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis that require continuous treatment and high adherence.
Many older adults are already using digital treatment, and research shows that people with chronic conditions respond well to digital treatment programs. A recently published long-term clinical study demonstrated that digital osteoarthritis treatment reduced patient pain by 50% and improved physical function by 43%. Another clinical study found that one-third of osteoarthritis patients initially considering surgery no longer felt the need for it after six weeks of digital treatment. Preliminary data suggests that after six months, the demand for surgery decreases by over 50%. If more patients continue or start their treatment digitally, healthcare systems can be relieved of some of the burden.
“To ensure osteoarthritis patients receive the right care now and in the future, especially older patients, it is essential to raise awareness about digital treatment and its proven benefits. Digital treatment increases adherence through daily reminders and offers flexibility—patients can complete their exercises anywhere, anytime, without needing to visit a gym. This is especially important now, as older individuals are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.” – Leif Dahlberg
Today, various clinically validated treatments for chronic conditions are already available through primary care. One example is Joint Academy, which provides digital first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. Joint Academy has treated over 15,000 osteoarthritis patients with the support of more than 100 physical therapists.
