The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the clinical and radiological outcomes of both-bone forearm fractures treated by compression plating at a tertiary care centre in India: a retrospective study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone's life. In India, the nationwide lockdown was enforced from March 25, 2020. It has significantly affected the healthcare delivery system. Both-bone forearm (BBFA) fractures are commonly encountered as an emergency. Surgical management with plate fixation is often the primary mode of management in adults and adolescents. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, follow-up of patients with BBFA fractures who had undergone surgery before the lockdown was severely affected. To understand the effect of lack of regular follow-up on the outcome of BBFA fracture patients, in this study, we assessed their radiological, functional, and clinical outcomes at least 12 months after surgery. This study examined if a lack of routine follow-ups in surgically treated BBFA fracture patients has any impact on their short-term outcomes. Methods: We included 30 patients with BBFA fractures who were operated prior to the COVID-19 lockdown and assessed their radiological, functional, and clinical outcomes 12 months after surgery. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score, Grace and Eversmann's score, and Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) score were assessed subjectively. Fracture site tenderness, and wrist, forearm, elbow, and grip strength range of motion (ROM) were objectively evaluated. Radiological union was recorded using standard forearm anteroposterior and lateral radiography. Results: At follow-up, 28 patients had union at the fracture site, and two patients had a nonunion. A significant reduction was observed in the mean ROM of the injured forearm compared with the uninjured forearm in supination (17.76% less), pronation (31.4% less), dorsiflexion (32% less), palmar-flexion (24.6% less), elbow flexion-extension arc (2.5% less), and grip strength (18% less). The percentage reduction in pronation and dorsiflexion was higher than that in supination and palmar-flexion, respectively. Grace and Eversmann's score was excellent in 16 patients, good in 4, acceptable in 7, and poor in 3 patients. The mean QuickDASH score was 6 +/- 6.6. The mean PRWE and MEPI scores were 7 +/- 4.5 and 87.16, respectively. The MEPI score was excellent in 21 patients, good in 6, fair in 2, and poor in 1 patient. Conclusion: The clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes of adult patients with BBFA fractures who were treated with compression plating were satisfactory. Inadequate follow-up during the COVID-19 first wave in India had minimal to no effect on their short-term outcomes.