Medical Specialists Evidenced-Based Opinion for the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal, Balance and Gait Impairments in Post Covid-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare access and posed a global challenge. The emergence of new variants such as Delta, Omicron, and FLIRT serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat. COVID-19 survivors often experienced new or aggravated musculoskeletal discomfort, which can be attributed to the virus's impact on the musculoskeletal system and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design to gather information from 50 medical specialists engaged in clinical practice. These specialists were asked to share their observations on the prevalence of musculoskeletal, balance, and gait impairments in patients who had contracted COVID-19 after the pandemic. A face-to-face interview survey was conducted, utilizing multiple-choice questions, and participants' responses were recorded using a 5-point Likert Scale. Result: Descriptive analysis using SPSS was utilized. The mean and standard deviation of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's) were calculated to be 62.52±6.58, with a high-frequency percentage of severe musculoskeletal disorders (56.0%, 28.3) and moderate MSDs (44%, 22). The prevalence of myalgia (74%) and joint pain (74%), as well as an increase in several patients with MSDs (72%) in the outpatient department, had a high agreement percentage respectively. The level of significance was set at p≤0.05. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), balance issues and gait problems are commonly observed as post-COVID conditions, with myalgia, joint pain, and decreased physical activity being the most prevalent. The findings suggest that healthcare professionals should prioritize preventive measures to address these issues in patients who have recuperated from the virus.