Depression can develop during recovery from knee replacement surgery. Factors like stress, limited mobility, and pain can contribute to its development. Medications after surgery can reduce the chance.
In knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, a surgeon will replace damaged cartilage and bone with an artificial implant.
This procedure can help reduce pain and discomfort and improve your quality of life. Sometimes, however, it can have a negative impact on a person’s state of mind, such as by leading to depression.
Depression is a mood disorder causing persistent and intense feelings of sorrow that don’t seem to go away.
It can negatively impact your surgical recovery time, as well as your:
- thinking and behavior
- appetite
- sleep
- interest in doing daily tasks and activities you usually enjoy
Learn more about the symptoms of depression.
For 90% of people, knee replacement surgery improves their pain levels, mobility, and quality of life. Some people, however, might have a harder time mentally as they recover from the procedure.
In a 2021 study of nearly 200,000 people who underwent knee replacement, researchers found that just over 5,000 people, or 2.72%, were diagnosed with depression within a year of their surgery.
Another smaller study of 150 people found that
There are many reasons why depression might develop after knee replacement.
In general, according to research, factors like stress, inflammation, and pain have been linked to an increased chance of depression after certain surgeries.
Other factors that may play a role are the length of your hospitalization after the surgery, your degree of disability during recovery, and the degree of compromise to your ability to be social, active, and get outside the house.
In the case of knee replacement, while you’ll be able to move around your home and walk short distances after your surgery, your activity is often fairly limited in the beginning.
If you experience complications during the procedure, your recovery may last longer.
You are also likely to:
- experience pain for several more weeks
- be more dependent on others as you recover
- be unable to move as freely as you wish
Together, these factors can create feelings of sadness and hopelessness, which are associated with depression.
It’s typical to have some negative emotions while you’re recovering from a major surgery like a knee replacement, but if these feelings are severe, it’s a good idea to seek treatment from your doctor.
It can also help to share your feelings with family and friends, as can taking care of yourself in the post-operative period.
This includes taking the following steps:
- taking prescribed medications regularly
- getting plenty of rest
- participating in physical therapy exercises to help you grow stronger and recover
- reaching out to a therapist or counselor if you need to talk with someone
Symptoms of depression tend to subside within one year after the surgery. However, in severe cases, you may need to take antidepressant medications.
Why does depression happen after surgery, and what can you do about it?
While it isn’t always possible to prevent depression from developing after surgery, like knee replacement, there are things you can do to reduce the chance of it happening.
It can help to prepare for your procedure by gathering all the information you need. Make sure to ask your doctor any questions you have and make a clear plan for follow-up appointments.
Knowing what to expect before, during, and after the procedure can reduce the chance that you’re caught off guard by any of the less pleasant aspects of the recovery period.
After the procedure, even if it’s affecting your mobility and causing you pain, do your best to get up each day so that you still have a sense of independence and develop a routine.
During recovery, family and friends can not only give you much-needed social interaction but also help support you so that you can eat healthfully by including fruits and vegetables in your diet, especially those that contain vitamin C, which is
Try to set realistic goals and be patient with yourself as you recover. This can help you feel better overall and help you manage feelings of anger and frustration, hopefully preventing such feelings from progressing to depression.
Learn more: Knee replacement surgery recovery timeline.
If you notice changes in your state of mind after knee replacement surgery, you aren’t alone. That said, it’s important to notice if your mood does not improve or worsen after a while.
In some cases, depression can become severe and
In fact,
For this reason, if you experience significant depressive effects that don’t go away within two weeks, speak to your doctor. They will be able to work with you to find a solution.
What are other psychological effects of knee replacement surgery?
Besides depression, having knee replacement surgery can
Discomfort and pain may also affect your sleep after a knee replacement. Over 50% of people who have had knee surgery wake up in the morning with pain, according to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS).
Medication use and restricted leg movements during the night can also contribute to sleeping problems.
Learn tips to sleep better at night, how to sleep better with knee pain, and how to deal with insomnia after surgery.
Does a knee replacement ever feel normal?
Every person’s knee joint will feel differently after knee replacement. It also takes time for the joint to fully recover.
That said, a 2021 meta-analysis found that 87.9% of people who had a knee replacement tended to return to athletic activities within a mean of 14 months after the procedure.
How long does it take to walk normally after knee replacement?
Research suggests that most people should be able to walk with assistance, such as a walker, within a
Tell your doctor if you have had a diagnosis of insomnia, depression, or anxiety before knee replacement surgery. Also, share your feelings about the surgery beforehand.
Your doctor can talk you through them and create a recovery plan that takes these factors into account.
You may not expect to develop depression, insomnia, or anxiety after surgery.
If they happen, speak to your doctor and consider sharing your feelings with friends and loved ones, too.
Managing anxiety, insomnia, and depression may help you recover. Whatever you are feeling now, know that you can and will feel better with time.