Orthopaedic rheumatology strategic recommendations and practice principles in SARS-CoV-2 Era

A B S T R A C T
WHO declared SARS-CoV-2 as a pandemic disease on 11th March 2020. Due to global lockdown and restricted social movements, there is a rising curve in the morbidity of health of non- SARS-CoV-2orthopaedic rheumatology patients and an impairment in the functional quality of life necessitating a
pandemic response protocol into action in all fields of patient care. The development of ideal strategies and recommendations for the management of orthopaedic rheumatologically predisposed population and principles to be followed in their practice is the need of the hour. We hereby give a comprehensive list of strategies that can be followed in orthopaedic rheumatology practice by encompassing the
recommendations given by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), The American College of Rheumatologists (ACR), and Indian Association of Orthopaedic Rheumatology - Indian Orthopaedic Association (IORA-IOA). SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has put enormous pressure on patients with Rheumatic Diseases (RD) due to their innate weakness and shared treatment protocols in management. Though RD
needs a multidisciplinary approach, which remains a challenge in this pandemic scenario, these strategic recommendations would aid in their optimal care amidst the adversity of SARS-CoV-2.