Skip to main content
All CollectionsS&N | Knee Repair Learn Content (IRL)Library
Emotions after Surgery
Emotions after Surgery
Updated over a year ago

Emotions after Surgery

Over time, your ACL/Meniscal surgery will improve your quality of life and increase your ability to do the things you like to do. However, these changes are not immediate and it is normal to feel stressed or upset after being in the hospital.

There are a number of reasons why you may feel emotional after surgery, including:

  • Being less able to do some of the activities you enjoy – or finding them more difficult

  • Reactions to the anaesthesia or medications post surgery

  • Physical or emotional stress

  • Depression not treated prior to surgery

  • Fear of the unknown in terms of recovery

These responses are not unusual. Even when they are not permanent, major life changes – like a surgery and its after-effects – can make you feel sad or worried.

It is normal to feel frustrated or down about the short-term changes to your mobility and day-to-day activities during your recovery. But if your negative feelings are severe, or if you find you don’t adjust after a week or two, let your doctor know.

It takes time to adjust after surgery, but many people find they regain their emotional balance by themselves. This isn’t true for everyone, however. Sadness or anxiety might not be your main symptom, so depression might be hard to spot. This is why it’s so important to talk to your doctor about how you’re feeling. These feelings after surgery are common, and if you’ve started to feel depressed or very anxious, your doctor can help.

If you have been feeling sad or anxious since your surgery, here are the warning signs to look out for:

  • Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite.

  • Having trouble feeling positive emotions.

  • Problems sleeping or sleeping too much.

  • Problems with concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge.

  • Increased worry or feeling stressed.

  • Feeling more angry, irritable, or aggressive than normal.

  • A need for alcohol or drugs.

  • Sadness or hopelessness.

  • Suicidal thoughts.

  • Obsessive thinking or compulsive behaviour.

  • Thoughts or behaviours that interfere with work, family, or social life.

  • Unusual thinking or behaviours that concern other people.

Some simple self-help measures can help minimise the emotions such as sleeping well, eating healthy, taking up a new hobby such as reading or taking regular walks. Do not be afraid to ask for help from relatives or friends who may be able to keep you company.

Regular exercise can also help release some feel-good hormones which can curb depression. It can also help improve your self-confidence and self-esteem.

References:

“Older Adults and Mental Health.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Oct. 2016,[link]https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health/index.shtml . Accessed 22 May 2020

Mitchell M (2012) Anxiety management in minimal stay surgery: Nursing times 108(48) pg 15-16

Did this answer your question?