The Impact of COVID-19 on the Orthopaedic Patient in Slovenia: Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery, 90-Day Mortality, Outpatient Visits and Waiting Times.

There was an inevitable drop in the number of surgeries and outpatient clinic visits in the spring and autumn lockdown. With the reorganisation of the orthopaedic service in Slovenia, the number of KR and HR stayed at a relatively high level despite the pandemic. An epidemiological model and mechanisms for the reduction of waiting times could overcome the impact of the epidemic.