Bernard Ross showcases how the role of MedTech is helping to tackle the NHS backlog of orthopaedic surgery
The annual number of hip replacement surgeries in England has increased by almost 20,000 since 2009/2010. Of the 81,130 hip replacements carried out in 2018/2019, more than 93 percent were for patients 50 years old or older, and approximately 52 percent were over 70. However, between 2020 and 2021 the annual number of hip replacements had more than halved to 30,937, leaving thousands of patients on a waiting list.
Stopping the spread of coronavirus was prioritised over routine surgeries, causing the postponement of non-urgent operations with the aim of increasing bed capacity and protecting patients and staff. Now, the NHS faces a backlog of more than six million people waiting for routine operations, with a large proportion waiting for orthopaedic surgery, like total hip replacement (THR) surgery.
Surgical interventions
Surgery is usually the last resort for patients with joint conditions. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) first recommend other solutions, such as physiotherapy and steroid injections. However, for older patients with already limited mobility physiotherapy is not always a viable option.
THR surgery is recommended to patients with long term forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis in the UK – rheumatoid arthritis and septic arthritis. Patients with hip fractures are also recommended THR surgery. For those in need of surgery, delayed surgical intervention can cause a deterioration in physical and mental health. Patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery are required to live with worn or damaged joints, reduced mobility, and ongoing pain – even while resting.
The root of the problem
A backlog of waiting lists for routine operations is not a unique result of the pandemic. NHS resources have long been under pressure addressing the needs of a growing ageing population. Since 2010, average waiting times for hip replacement operations increased from 87.5 days to 105.2 days in 2015. By January 2021, 58,000 people had waited an average of 25 additional weeks for their hip replacement.
The elderly population is rising – it is projected that there will be an additional 7.5 million people aged 65 years and over in the UK in 50 years’ time. This means more people will be living with conditions that typically worsen with age – such as osteoarthritis – demanding more time, money and resources from healthcare services.
Faster recovery
Hip replacement surgeries are typically a speedy medical procedure, taking between one and two hours, however recovery can take up to five days. Despite advancements in surgery thus far, post-operative complications and re-admission rates have remained level, and some issues still exist for patients post-surgery. Pain, dizziness and weakness have been reported to