Managing Musculoskeletal Health During COVID-19: Essential Care and Treatment

COVID-19 has disrupted our routine, but you can’t keep neglecting your musculoskeletal problems forever.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is a novel RNA virus. It causes a highly contagious respiratory disease in humans. It infects people very easily through respiratory droplets expelled by infected people when they talk, cough, or sneeze. Infection can also spread when you touch fomites – contaminated surfaces.

Prevention is the Best Method of Coping with the Virus

Some of the recommended practices include,

i) A mask helps you to keep your mouth and nose covered when you sneeze.

ii) Social distancing practices, which would mean maintaining a distance of 6 feet from other people during your daily routines

iii) Hand hygiene – frequent hand washing with an alcohol-based sanitizer

iv) Avoid touching objects, unless absolutely necessary.

V) Avoid crowded places, especially in hotspots. This would mean hospitals too, for non-essential consultations. But it may not always be possible, as some conditions warrant a visit to your doctor. Most hospitals realize that and have implemented stringent policies and protocols to ensure your safety.

Even in these days of relative inactivity, Bone and Joint problems can significantly affect your daily routine..

Apart from trauma and certain non-traumatic emergencies, degenerative arthritic conditions, spinal disorders, and inflammatory arthritis, among others, require attention to avoid deterioration.

• Osteoarthritis (OA) – OA is a widely prevalent degenerative joint disease that wears down the protective cartilage between bones. This leads to swelling, pain, and stiffness. Unless treated in time, it can lead to prolonged pain and immobility.
• Osteoporosis – Mobility is life. COVID-19 may have made you homebound for the last 3 months, but that should not prevent you from being mobile. Take your exercises seriously. Prolonged immobility, hormonal changes in females post menopause, can result in loss of bone density and make them vulnerable to fractures. If a consultation is required, make sure you visit your doctor in a safe manner.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Inflammatory joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause serious and rapid damage to your joints. Active continuation of your treatment is necessary, and planned visits to your doctor are mandatory.
• Fractures in the elderly – Take fractures in the elderly seriously. Do not neglect them because of COVID-19. These patients often benefit immensely from early interventions, which are the key to getting them back on their feet.

Safe Orthopedic Treatment During COVID-19 is a Reality

Hospitals have stringent infection control protocols in place at all times. These have been revamped now in accordance to ICMR guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Additional preventive measures practiced include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided for all members of the team
• Limit the number of health care personnel to the absolute minimum for both outpatient and inpatient services to minimise contact
• We allow only attendants to accompany the patient at all times
• Sanitized ambulance and stretchers for pick up and transport on arrival
• We admit patients only to private rooms to minimize contact and avoid infections.
• Patients are screened for COVID-19 before major interventions in the interest of the patient
• Patients whose COVID-19 status is not known (awaiting results) will be kept in private rooms in a separate zone away from COVID-negative or COVID-positive patients.
• Proven COVID-19 patients will be treated in a negative pressure room that prevents outward airflow and thus avoids contamination or spread
• A telemedicine facility is available for screening, post-procedure consultation, and counseling

So, please don’t add your musculoskeletal problems to the growing list of concerns during this pandemic. Consult our Orthopedist with confidence and have perfect control over your bones and joints.