DAPHNE, AL (April 10, 2020) – The continued spread of COVID-19 has called on everyone—and especially the healthcare system—to quickly adapt. Many hospitals have postponed elective surgeries to be rescheduled later as they deal with the current crisis. Elective surgeries are surgeries that are not life-threatening and can be scheduled in advance. The patient chooses to have the surgery to better his or her quality of life. Many orthopaedic surgeries fall under this category even though the underlying conditions can be very serious and the discomfort to the patient can be significant.

What can a patient do when his or her surgery is postponed due to COVID-19 safety measures? Though many orthopaedic conditions are not life-threatening, they can be painful and restrict your movement. Here’s some helpful advice on how patients can alleviate their pain while they wait for surgery.

SPORTS INJURIES

• For certain sports injuries, you’ll want to participate in a physical therapy program to maintain strength and range of motion as you await your surgery.
• For knee injuries, you may need to minimize movements that use your knee, such as jumping and running—and also consider using additional knee support in some cases.