Emotional state affects hip replacement recovery

A patient's emotional state can affect their recovery following hip replacement surgery, a new study has found.

Research by scientists at Saint Louis University found that a patient's emotional status was the second most important factor in determining how well they thought their recovery was going, with mobility being the most important factor.

Dr Berton Moed, chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery at the university's school of medicine, commented: "Patients come in for check-ups after their hip surgery and the doctor says, 'Looks like you're doing fabulously,' and they respond, 'No, I'm not. I ache.'

"They're not doing well, but why? It appears to have a lot to do with their emotional state. It's the elephant in the exam room - that is, something doctors need to acknowledge is a real issue," the researcher claimed.

Dr Moed said that surgeons may have to consider bringing in social workers and psychologists to work with some patients, as depression could be to blame for their slow recovery following surgery.
 
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