Associations of preoperative anemia and postoperative hemoglobin values with hospital costs in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Background: Total knee arthroplasty are among the most frequently conducted surgeries, due to an aging society. Since hospital costs are subsequently rising, adequate preparation of patients and reimbursement becomes more and more important. Recent literature revealed anemia as a risk factor for enhanced length of stay (LOS) and complications.

Preoperative patients' health decrease moderately, while hospital costs increase for hip and knee replacement due to the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was a comparison between osteoarthritis patients with primary hip and knee replacements before, during and after the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany. Patients' preoperative health status is assumed to decrease, owing to delayed surgeries. Costs for patients with osteoarthritis were assumed to increase, for example, due to higher prices for protective equipment.