Knee and Hip Replacement: What Anxiety Before Surgery and Pain After Can Tell Us

Total knee and hip replacement surgeries usually have great results, but chronic pain can be a big problem afterwards. Scientists wanted to figure out who might struggle with this long-term pain. They looked at patients six months after their surgery and used the ICD-11 system to classify different pain profiles. The researchers found that being anxious before the surgery and having severe pain right after it were linked to worse chronic pain later on. This could help doctors spot who might need extra care to prevent long-term pain. Doctors can't change how anxious a patient feels before surgery, but they can manage pain better afterwards. This could mean giving stronger painkillers at first or using alternative treatments like cold packs or gentle massage. It's important to note that everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. That's why it's key for doctors to tailor their treatment plans to each patient's needs.