Bone fractures during the time of coronavirus

Abstract

What is known and Objective In response to rapid spread of coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) and lack of vaccine or effective treatment for COVID‐19 disease, governments imposed measures that resulted in a shift from work and school to isolation at home. Studies from three countries (China, Belgium and the United States) report the consequences on traumatic bone fractures. Comment The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a widespread change to a relative sedentary lifestyle and decreased exposure to light (vitamin D). A consequence of the stay‐at‐home policies is a negative change in bone‐health and environmental surroundings that has led to age‐related changes in the number of traumatic bone fractures. What is new and conclusion A consequence of stay‐at‐home policies has been a decline in bone fractures for young and middle‐aged adults; but an increase for the elderly. The trends are predicted to reverse, and present new problems, when isolation restrictions are removed.

Changes in Pediatric Fracture Cases during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Data from a National Referral Orthopedic Hospital in Indonesia

“…In the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, wrist, hand, and femur groups, there was a significant reduction in cases. These results are in line with a study that showed a considerable difference in the number of outpatient visits and orthopedic surgery procedures during the beginnings of the pandemic relative to the time before the outbreak [19], [20], [21], [22], [23]. In contrast, the decrease was not significant in the lumbar spine, pelvis, lower leg, and ankle.…”

Sunlight Exposure and Phototherapy: Perspectives for Healthy Aging in an Era of COVID-19

“…In current aged/superaged societies and an ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19, we need to consider ways to enhance our immunity to maintain suitable health. Notably, the stay-at-home policy may reduce the time for outdoor activities, resulting in vitamin D 3 insufficiency/deficiency [100] and an increased incidence of bone fractures in the elderly [101]. In addition to sunlight exposure and vitamin D 3 supplementation, phototherapy with full-spectrum light is an alternative approach to stimulate vitamin D 3 biosynthesis with minimal risk of skin damage and adjust circadian rhythms, which are quite important for biological, physiological, and immunological activities in all living organisms.…”

Reduction prevalence of fragility fracture hospitalisation during the COVID-19 lockdown

“…If the periods before, during and after the stay-at-home measures were leading to more or less falls and fractures at the population level remains to be ascertained. Currently, the few investigations looking at fractures [ 7 – 9 ] during COVID-19 reported a reduction of fracture during the lockdown. On the other hand, some authors from various European countries have reported no changes in low-energy fractures rate during lockdown period [ 10 – 13 ].…”