Monday, August 4, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Psychology & Psychiatry

Depression and Anxiety Before and After Calcaneal Fractures

August 4, 2025
in Psychology & Psychiatry
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
blank
65
SHARES
593
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

In the realm of orthopedic trauma, calcaneal fractures—breaks occurring in the heel bone—represent a significant clinical challenge, not only due to their complex anatomical structure but also because of the profound impact they can have on a patient’s functional mobility and overall quality of life. A recent study published in BMC Psychiatry sheds new light on an often-overlooked dimension of this injury: the psychological health of patients before and after surgical intervention. This comprehensive investigation by researchers at Honghui Hospital in Xi’an strategies around the intricate interplay between mental health and physical recovery, revealing that preoperative anxiety and depression may critically shape postoperative outcomes.

Calcaneal fractures frequently demand complex surgical repairs, often necessitating careful anatomical reconstruction to restore foot function and enable patients to resume normal ambulation. While much emphasis has traditionally been placed on the biomechanical and rehabilitative aspects of treatment, emerging evidence now underscores the essential role of psychological status both prior to and following surgery. Fear, anxiety, and depressive symptoms are common among patients facing surgery, but their direct influence on clinical prognoses, particularly in the context of calcaneal fractures, has remained poorly elucidated until this point.

The study recruited a cohort of 67 patients who underwent surgical treatment for calcaneal fractures at the Foot and Ankle Surgery Department in Honghui Hospital between November 2019 and September 2022. This timeframe allowed for a longitudinal assessment, capturing both preoperative psychological states and long-term postoperative outcomes. Researchers stratified participants into two groups: those with identifiable anxiety or depression symptoms before surgery (Group A) and those without these symptoms (Group B). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a validated psychometric tool, was employed alongside physical functional evaluations including the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score to quantitatively monitor patient progress.

ADVERTISEMENT

Intriguingly, nearly half of the patients (49.25%) exhibited significant preoperative psychological distress. This startling prevalence highlights the necessity of integrating mental health screening into pre-surgical protocols for orthopedic trauma patients. Both groups demonstrated marked improvements in pain reduction and functional scores postoperatively, affirming the overall efficacy of surgical intervention in restoring foot mechanics. However, those with preoperative anxiety or depression experienced less favorable prognoses, suggesting that psychological morbidity imposes a tangible barrier to optimal recovery.

These findings have profound implications for clinical practice. The nexus between mental health and physical healing is intricate and multifaceted, involving neuroendocrine, immunological, and behavioral pathways. Psychological distress can exacerbate pain perception, diminish adherence to postoperative rehabilitation protocols, and impair immune function, potentially delaying wound healing and prolonging disability. Hence, psychological assessments should be considered integral components of perioperative care for patients with calcaneal fractures.

Moreover, this study advocates for a multidisciplinary approach where mental health professionals work alongside orthopedic surgeons to devise tailored interventions. Addressing anxiety and depression preemptively—through cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacological treatment, or supportive counseling—could serve as an adjunct to surgical care, enhancing patient resilience and improving functional outcomes. Such integrative strategies may also reduce healthcare costs by minimizing complications and accelerating return to work or daily activities.

The methodology employed in this research manifests rigorous clinical acumen. By leveraging validated scales such as the HADS, the researchers ensured precise measurement of psychological symptoms, while the incorporation of objective surgical outcome metrics facilitated robust correlation analyses. The longitudinal nature of the follow-up further strengthened the evidence base, enabling observation of sustained effects beyond the immediate postoperative period.

Nevertheless, the study acknowledges certain limitations, including the relatively modest sample size and the potential influence of confounding variables such as socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and varying rehabilitation adherence rates. Future research with larger, more diverse patient populations and randomized control designs could further delineate causal mechanisms and optimal intervention protocols.

From an orthopedic perspective, these insights emphasize that healing extends beyond bone mending and soft tissue repair. Psychological wellbeing constitutes a pivotal determinant of success, mandating a paradigm shift that recognizes the patient as a holistic entity rather than a mere anatomical problem. This evolution in treatment philosophy aligns with a growing body of evidence in other surgical disciplines underscoring the mind-body connection.

Furthermore, the study’s revelations might stimulate innovation in preoperative patient education, encouraging surgeons to address mental health proactively, thereby reducing patient anxiety and improving surgical preparedness. The data also advocate for routine screening protocols at trauma centers to identify high-risk individuals who may benefit most from targeted mental health interventions.

In conclusion, this landmark research published in BMC Psychiatry compellingly demonstrates the profound effect of preoperative psychological health on the trajectory of recovery in patients undergoing surgery for calcaneal fractures. By integrating mental health evaluations into orthopedic care pathways, clinicians can better predict outcomes and optimize treatment plans, ultimately enhancing both physical and psychological patient wellbeing. As the medical community increasingly embraces interdisciplinary approaches, the lessons from this study herald a new era in orthopedic trauma management centered on holistic healing.

Subject of Research: Patients with calcaneal fractures undergoing surgical treatment, focusing on preoperative and postoperative psychological health and its impact on functional recovery.

Article Title: Analysis of preoperative and postoperative depression and anxiety in patients with calcaneal fractures.

Article References:
Xu, J., Cao, S., Hu, D. et al. Analysis of preoperative and postoperative depression and anxiety in patients with calcaneal fractures. BMC Psychiatry 25, 736 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07184-6

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07184-6

Tags: anxiety and depression in orthopedic traumacalcaneal fractures and mental healthemotional challenges in fracture healingfunctional mobility after heel fracturesimportance of psychological assessment in surgerypatient outcomes after calcaneal surgerypostoperative depression and recoverypreoperative anxiety in surgical patientspsychological health in fracture recoverypsychological impact of orthopedic injuriesquality of life post-calcaneal fracturesurgical intervention and mental well-being
Share26Tweet16
Previous Post

Urinary Tract Cancer Trends in Golestan Revealed

Next Post

Psychedelics and Non-Hallucinogenic Analogs Activate the Same Receptor—But Only to a Certain Extent

Related Posts

blank
Psychology & Psychiatry

Is Mental Health Contagious Among Sudan’s Professionals?

August 4, 2025
blank
Psychology & Psychiatry

CHD8 Knockdown in Adult Mice Triggers Sex-Specific Changes

August 4, 2025
blank
Psychology & Psychiatry

Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to Musculoskeletal Pain via Depression

August 4, 2025
blank
Psychology & Psychiatry

Trauma’s Impact on Georgian IDPs’ Mental Health

August 4, 2025
blank
Psychology & Psychiatry

Behavioral Activation and Antidepressants Reduce Suicidality

August 4, 2025
blank
Psychology & Psychiatry

Childhood Trauma, Exercise Impact Bipolar Risk in Depression

August 4, 2025
Next Post
blank

Psychedelics and Non-Hallucinogenic Analogs Activate the Same Receptor—But Only to a Certain Extent

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27529 shares
    Share 11008 Tweet 6880
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    938 shares
    Share 375 Tweet 235
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    640 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    506 shares
    Share 202 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    310 shares
    Share 124 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Complex Systems Unlock Physical Activity Behavior Change
  • Branding Cultural Heritage for Rural Revitalization: Qingtian Case
  • Microplastics Found in Human Feces: Dietary Links Explored
  • Is Mental Health Contagious Among Sudan’s Professionals?

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,184 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading