Background:
The field of arthroplasty has undergone significant transformations in recent years, catalyzed by technological advancements and unexpected global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted traditional healthcare delivery and accelerated the adoption of innovative practices in joint replacement surgeries. Among these are the emergence of same-day discharge protocols and the integration of virtual rehabilitation programs. This Special Issue aims to explore the multifaceted evolution of arthroplasty care, examining the challenges posed by the pandemic, the shift towards outpatient arthroplasty, and the role of digital health in postoperative recovery.
Scope and Specific Themes:
The scope is broad and can encompass all aspects of patient care involving arthroplasty patients, from preoperative clinical assessment to follow-up of the patient, including but not limited to:
Pandemic Challenges and Arthroplasty:
- Impact of COVID-19 on elective surgeries.
- Strategies for managing arthroplasty waiting lists during and after the pandemic.
- Infection control measures and their implications for joint replacement surgery.
Day-case Arthroplasty Surgery:
- Criteria for patient selection and preoperative preparation for day-case surgery.
- Outcomes of day-case arthroplasty compared to traditional inpatient procedures.
- Economic implications and patient satisfaction associated with outpatient arthroplasty.
Virtual Rehabilitation in Arthroplasty:
- Development and implementation of telerehabilitation programs for postoperative care.
- Comparative studies on the effectiveness of virtual rehabilitation versus in-person therapy.
- Patient engagement, compliance, and the role of wearable technology in remote recovery.
Integrating Technology and Patient Care:
- Use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict outcomes in arthroplasty.
- The role of mobile health applications in enhancing patient education and self-management.
- The impact of virtual consultations on preoperative and postoperative care.
Policy and Practice Implications:
- Changes in healthcare policies affecting arthroplasty care due to the pandemic.
- Best practices for implementing same-day discharge and virtual rehabilitation.
- Future perspectives on the standard of care in the post-pandemic era.
Submissions of both commissioned and non-commissioned content should be formatted according to the journal’s guidelines. All manuscripts will undergo standard peer review, and must be submitted through Editorial Manager.
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024