Hi. I've been putting off having my knee replaced for over a year due to work commitments. However I'm now at the stage where I have no quality of life and I struggle to do my job. Realistically I need to know how long I can expect to be off work and if I really can continue in my role as a midwife. Thank you for any advise. X
Hi I have had both done within 6 months, I am a nurse in a nursing home 1st knee back to work at 8wks 2nd back to work Tuesday at 9wks I think for me anyway was to have a positive attitude the pain I had before would have got worse and post op pain would get better so for me it was a no brainer.
This is my story as well. I am terrified but the pain I have now is to the point of unbearable!! I can't walk far at all and now right knee is locking. Ready to make that phone call to my doctor. Good luck to you❤️
It depends on so many things. My recovery has been slow - made excess scar tissue and had an MUA at 20 weeks to gain flexion, but I still have swelling, pain and stiffness at 22 weeks post op. I'm over 60 but was still working full time in a health related role before but was made redundant so have not returned as not been very fit. Many people are back within weeks if lucky and no complications - age does not always seem to be the determining factor - nor fitness as I was in hospital with an 84 year old who had both hips and one knee done prior and was in a wheelchair and very overweight. Yet sailed though and got back on feet with sticks.
If you can get up to a good level of fitness pre op then of course that may help. I had some serious illness and other surgery in the months leading up to TKR so it was perhaps not the best start, but my knee was also suffering and holding back mobility anyway. If your job requires you to be on your feet a lot, maybe you can ask for a phased return. I know nursing roles are quite physically demanding. Tiredness can also be an issue and sleeping can be difficult for many after TKR. My surgeon would have advised me to have 12 weeks for my old job, which required driving and some physical tasks. I would ask your surgeon next visit. If you can, take all the time allowed, even if you feel well at home, lots on here find they go back and wish they had longer as it is exhausting recovering from this tough surgery. Good luck!
If a doctor or anyone else gives you a date that you will be back to work, they're lying to you. No one...ABSOLUTELY NO ONE...can tell you that. On this Forum you will hear over and over again that:
1. Everyone's recovery (pain, sleep, PT, etc.) is very individual. You cannot predict in advance what your recovery will be like.
2. Everyone's ability to get back to work is also all very individual (factors: recovery rate, dedication to your recovery, type of job, hours on your feet, age, pre-existing conditions, whether your DNA creates tons of scar tissue or not, and many more.). There are general timelines for populations of people but statistics DO NOT APPLY to individuals. You may be lucky, average or in pain for a long time...there is no way to tell.
3. A full recovery takes about a year with most people feeling more like themselves in the 9-12 month range where all of the worst pain is gone and a lot of mobility has been restored. The big majority of us return to work (again based on many factors) in the four- to six-month range...mostly toward the latter end of the timeline. Three months is really pushing it and can have negative effects on your recovery setting you back. We've seen cases of that. Very, very few people go back to work within a matter of weeks. Very rare. People who count on and expect that outcome are delusional.
Preparing for a knee replacement in itself is a daunting task...recovery is a whole other matter. Many call it the most brutal surgery out there...they are correct. Many say that it is a marathon and not a sprint...they are correct. Many say that it will take everything you have in terms of heart, mind, body and soul to get through it...they are correct. However, we've either done it or are doing it now...so can you.
But the first thing you must do is take all of your expectations, throw them in a closet, close door, lock door, throw away key. This is the most Zen of all surgeries: "I'll be better when I'm better." Period. There is no other path.
Click on my picture or name and the "See All Discussions". I have about 20 out there. Start with the "...Kidney Stone" one. You'll get some idea about what you're going to be up against.
PS Sorry the MUA was 10 weeks, I could not get back in to edit and correct!
I am 52, I would say based on my own experience best if possible to take four months off as you have physically demanding job, but three could be ok if just going back fir a couple of days a week. It does vary but it is worth taking as much time off as you can so that you can put energy and effort into your rehabilitation. I don't see why you could not continue with your work if you make a good recovery.
I'm 66, retired RN. TKR May 2, 2017 with unexpected allergic reaction to aquaseal caused swelling, rash, and fluid accumulation in popliteal space preventing extension of leg. Now almost 4 months post op, knee is bent at 45 degree angle and I am using a JAS brace, PT and massage therapy to gradually straighten leg before I can walk. I am currently in a wheelchair. Estimated recovery is 3-9 months before leg is extended. I had originally planned to have right knee done in September. I wish I had known about this forum before surgery. I would allow a year to recover, especially in nursing jobs. Good luck!
Hi Karen, it is a very painful operation, but as long as you do regular excercising, and put ice packs on, hopefully you will be ok. Six weeks after my first knee op, I was so grateful I had it done. But each operation/knee is different, but however painful, you must keep up with the excercising. Pain killers also help! Good luck and I hope all goes well.
Hello. I am a 4th grade teacher. So, I returned to 27 smiling 10 year olds at 11 weeks post op, tkr. I thought I would be able to elevate and ice at various times throughout the day...nope. Not happening. But, I work straight from 7-3:30. Then after work, I drive home as quickly as possible, crank up the ice machine and put my leg up. It's working out fine. I get really REALLY tired. More than I did before...but it's all good. My leg is healing. My ROM actually improved when I started working!!!
Weekends never looked soooo good!
Hi
I have gone back to work today as a nurse and am 9 weeks post op I have had both done in 6 months. Recovery very different with both but with your knee being bent I would advise an hour on the bed in the afternoon with nothing under the knee, keep it flat on the bed with ice on it if you can stand it if not try it for 5 mins and increase the time on the bed.
Hope you recover soon.