Depression following knee replacement surgery

Posted by ouch89 @ouch89, Dec 5 11:58am

In the first weeks following my three TKR surgeries I would receive questionaire's that requested my depression level. I always found the question baffling since this is a period of pain no doubt, but optimism for a better knee. Depression is more likely to set in after months of pain and PT without any appreciable improvement and a more applicable time for a question about depression. I can't help having the feeling that the medical community is sometimes not in touch with their patients. But like I've expressed before, once the surgery is over you're on your own.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Dec 5 12:48pm

They may want to try to get a response to get a baseline. In that way they have at least some ideas of change in mood. It is not unusual to have some level of depression following a major surgery. I didn't feel as though I was on my own post tkr. I did have to call members of the orthopedic team with questions and concerns. I wish that they had had a simple sheet of contacts to use for questions and concerns. I had to jump through some small hoops to get in touch with the right person. In general I believe that the medical system here in the U.S. is in trouble.

ouch89 | @ouch89 | Dec 5 5:52pm

I read your reply with interest. I agree that they are gathering data but I believe they dismiss the crutial part of recovery. On another note your last sentance caught my attention. We frequent Germany where in the past medical need was required. Aside from pratically no paperwork the professional quality can't be questioned, I was very impressed.

bevylynn | @bevylynn | Dec 7 5:56am

Surgery, pain and recovery definitely doesn't help depression. Prior to my TKR I weaned of Cetalapram (Celexa) I feel that this didn't help my tolerance for pain. I've been off it for eight months now and I feel I'm doing ok. The side effects of weaning off were difficult and then having surgery didn't help to cope with it all at once. Very happy to be where I am now post TKR and not taking the medication anymore. One of the side effects of this medication was osteoporosis and I was recently diagnosed with that. Some days I struggle but exercise and getting outside helps. I was very truthful in answering the questionnaire the medical facility sent me.

upgirl2013 | @upgirl2013 | 3 days ago

I had a TKR in April and did not start to feel depressed until July. I think once my body began to adjust to my new knee and was in the middle of my physical therapy appointment schedule, the electrodes in my brain kicked in.
My surgeons office asks the depression/ mood related questions for a variety of reasons. They prescribe a lot of medications and those could have an effect on your mental well being.
Keep doing the exercises, icing and keeping active as much as possible and you should continue to recover physically and mentally.

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