Patients with Anxiety, Depression Less Likely to Recover Fully after Orthopedic Surgery « Houston Accident Attorney | Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Houston

Patients with Anxiety, Depression Less Likely to Recover Fully after Orthopedic Surgery

Doctors have a word of caution for auto accident and workplace accident victims in the Houston area who may be in line for orthopedic surgery. Patients who suffer from anxiety, low-grade depression, and other signs of poor emotional health may have much lower chance of recovering completely after they undergo an orthopedic surgery to treat fractures and other injuries.

In fact according to some orthopedic surgeons, while medical science has advanced to the point where a patient’s quality of life can be dramatically improved after surgery, the patient’s emotional health does play a critical role in determining the quality of functioning after the surgery.

Doctors often advise surgery for patients who sustain hip injuries, knee injuries, shoulder injuries and other types of injuries in workplace or auto accidents in Houston. In fact, for some types of fractures like hip fractures, surgery is highly recommended as a means of controlling inflammation, and accelerating the process of recovery. Patients who suffer from signs of low-grade depression, or suffer from anxiety related disorders, or who simply have poor coping skills may not see a return to the level of function as before the injury.

The National Institutes of Health is currently conducting a study to test the benefits of emotional health programs for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. This current study involves a total of 200 patients. The aim is to find out if an emotionally rehabilitation program along with physical rehabilitation, can help foster a more complete recovery.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Houston, speak with an experienced Houston car accident lawyer at Vujasinovic and Beckcom.