Just wondering what the average time is for returning to work after an Achilles tendon repair surgery? If you've had this surgery, when did you return to work? How did it go?
I have a partial rupture and am having (open, not minimally invasive) surgery on it next week. I have to return to work two days later. The doctor said 4-6 weeks with a 2 week absolute minimum return to work time. The problem is, I have to return to work TWO DAYS after surgery. Surgery is on a Wednesday and I have to return by Friday. I really absolutely do not have a choice (I am the only one at my place of employment who can do my job and, on top of that, not only does my employer not offer time off, vacation or sick leave (literally have had one day off of work since 2015 and I had to work 12 hours of overtime the week before and call in multiple favors to make it happen), there is no one at my job to fill in for me; one employee is on vacation and another just had major surgery and is out for 6 weeks) and I can't move the surgery date. In addition to that, time away from work will result in lawsuits for the business I work at. Sooo, in addition to surgery, I'm super stressed out about work (as you can probably tell... sorry )
My job is 60% seated (desk) and 40% standing and going to various locations to conduct interviews and take photos. For those of you who returned to work earlier than the recommended 4-6 weeks, how did it go? Any advice or tips to keep complications and pain to a minimum? I also have three small children that I take care of on my own. I pretty much plan on using lots of ice packs and eating ibuprofen like it's candy.
Oh wow...note to self don't work for that company. Sorry to hear that dmh..... I had surgery 2 months ago and not released to return to work as of yet and I sit at a desk 90% of the time, fortunately I have all of the perks (vaca, sick, fmla, etc). Maybe considering you have a partial tear and minimal invasive surgery, you'll be able to put some weight on your foot, return to work in a boot or cast using crutches or a walker. I hope it all works out for you. Praying for 100% healing.
Thanks for the prayers! It's not minimally invasive...the doctor said it'll be open surgery with a 6-8 inch incision and non weight bearing for 4 weeks or so.
Just saw this, sorry about the above post! So what was it like a few days and the first week after surgery? Were you able to be up and around? How was pain? Was there much swelling? Were you able to get around on crutches?
You will have a hard time if was 17 days non weight bearing after surgery 8/22. I returned to work 9/14 just 6 days after sutures removed. Wearing boot full time and am to have a wedge removed every two weeks. Not easy so you will have hard time getting around trust me.
Tear 8/16, surgery 8/22. Dressing off 9/8 therapy started 9/12 back to work 9/14. Took 2.5 days for nerve block to wear you're going to have hard time. Recurrence of tear higher if you don't relax.
No no real pain couldn't tell if there was swelling had dressing and cast like splints on. No weight at all and getting around with crutches is much more difficult than it looks. Got to point where I was hurting my left knee. Injured my driving leg. Sucks. My surgeon is taking aggressive approach so far it's been good but it ok me almost 4 weeks before I could go to work.
1DM I had no pain at all after surgery. Swelling went away quick, still not allowed to put weight on it, used a scooter to get around in the house and crutches outside of the house. My only concern is I still have some numbness in my foot and irritation on my scar, overall no pain. You will be fine.
Your company sounds like a nightmare to work for, it must be illegal not to allow you a vacation since 2015???
Back to the real question: I had a full ruptured but went the conservative way and went back to work the next day but choice as I can't sit still at home and day time tv is absolutely rubbish lol.
If I had had surgery I would've listen to my consultant and follow it to the T. I was told if there is a re-reptured on the same leg and on the same area then they would have to remove tendon from my big toe to fix it and it might result in a limp for life (excessive, yes i know), so please follow your surgeon instructions or ask your work to at least provide a comfortable place to elevate your leg. I hope that's not too much for them.
Thanks for the replies, info and advice, everyone! I really appreciate that you took time to reply and share your stories.
On a bright note; I received some AWESOME news at my pre-op appointment today! My doc wants to try an "accelerated rehabilitation approach" with me (I'm an active athlete...when I'm not dealing with a tendon rupture that is...). Anyway, straight after surgery I'll be full weight bearing (same day!) and in a boot. He wants me up and around and stretching (carefully) as much as possible so that I can get back to my normal fitness routine, hiking and climbing as soon as possible. Super. Stoked.
One more question: the anesthesia. As I understand it, it will be a "twilight sleep". I say some REALLY stupid things when coming out of anesthesia... I can't imgaine (nor do I want to) what I'll say when under the influence and *awake* during surgery. Any stories about that? Do you remember anything about it? My past experiences with doctors saying "you won't remember any of this" involve me remembering pretty much *everything*. ~*gulp*~
Thanks for the reply about anesthesia! That's reassuring. How are you doing now? If you don't mind me asking, how did you rupture your tendon? (Mine was the result of an adverse reaction to flouroquinolone antibiotics (Cipro) ...apparently the risk is increased in athletes ).
I'll admit that the corporation itself that I work for is a bit rigid with their [time off] policy, but I love what I do (editor of a large newspaper). It's a pretty awesome career and I am thankful for it.
Sometimes, I think that they take advantage of my work ethic, and normally I'm okay with it (because I can't imagine wanting to do anything else and I'm totally okay with no time off), but in this case, it could be detrimental to my health.
On the other hand, when my kids are sick, they allow me to bring them to work and the owner personally takes care of them and spoils them to death (same thing during the summer...they pay for an in-home nanny on the weekends (that I have to work, which is most) and on weekdays in the mornings and then they (the owners) take them to the pool or to the local play center or park in the afternoon while I'm working). They also (voluntarily, without being asked) occasionally take them to their cabin near a local state park on weekends that I don't have to work so that I can go hiking and climbing. So, even though I don't get time off, they are beyond excellent with my family and I am *so* blessed to have that! They don't have any kids or grandkids (they've spent their whole married life building a publishing empire, more or less), so they've pretty much adopted me and my kids as their own.
As far as returning to work goes, I plan on elevating my leg on a stool next to my desk. With the accelerated rehabilitation method (total weight bearing in a boot from day 1) that my doctor has planned, I'm hoping that it'll be good enough.
I had planned on two weeks off after surgery but just couldn't do it! I went back after 3 weeks but only managed 3 out of 5 days on week 4! It's week 5 now and let
Me tell you, it is ROUGH! If your job was difficult before, plan on it being 10 times harder! 3 weeks was really too early to go back! I am going to pray hard for you honey because I understand HAVING to go back to work but IDK how you will do it! Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!
