Patients taking antidepressants up to three years prior to undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) were more likely to report greater pain before and after surgery and less satisfaction with their procedure, according to new research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
According to the investigators, a patient's mental health status should be assessed prior to surgery and taken into consideration during post-operative care.