Hi All,
Firstly, Thank you all for your input and advice over the last few weeks.
Yesterday I had my 6 week PO review with my surgeon, he was very happy with every aspect of my recovery. However, when I mentioned returning to work, he was adamant that not for another 6 weeks. He said that too many people feel pressure to go back to work too soon, do damage by overdoing it and kick themselves 12 - 18 months later due to some form of correction or achieving less than optimum results.
My work would require about 50/50 office/factory floor walking and an hours commute.
I would welcome input / opinions from anyone's experience.
Thanks,
Al
Listen to your doctor!!! If you go back to work too soon you could do more harm than good. The thought of work is often easier than the actual doing work all week!!! Youve had major surgery and are still healing, and I'm sure work won't collapse and close down without you. 😉
Hi, good to hear you're recovery is going so well. If you're able to I wouldn't rush back to work, take the advice of your surgeon he has lots of experience with patients in this area. I am due back to work in 2 weeks, I have a desk job but seriously doubt I will be ready as still spending much of the day with my leg elevated. Listen to your body, in your heart I think you know whether or not you are ready to return and after all the hard work of the last 6 weeks no-one wants setbacks.
Hello Al - I have read your posts with interest and know that you are doing great. Going back to work - NO! not yet - the 1 x hour commute alone will upset your leg. BUT Financially if you do have to go back to work then could it be a phased return? Shorter hours or your duties looked at and modified. If I get tired or stressed (8wks post op) my leg is the first thing that suffers - it stiffens and becomes painful - does yours do this? I like the routine and going back to being normal when it comes to work, it gives me structure but I know this op has had a variety of effects on my that I did not expect.
If your surgeon wont sign you off as fit have you got a choice?
Hi, I went back to work after two knee ops one in March and one in April, I went back to work last week, I work at a college so do a lot of walking throughout the day, luckily I have this week off as it is half term. But I found that last week at work was great but tiring and have learnt the hard way, that when you come in from work you need to rest, ice and elevate your leg or you will feel like you've been run over by a bus, mental it's great getting back to work, but physically it's hard, I went straight back to doing 33 hours, so maybe think about a phased return.
Did you have TKR on both knees??
I am at 10 weeks p o and I could not imagine going back to my volunteering job. Time heals all wounds they say. Give it time and listen to the expert, if you can.
No I had a menisectomy, manipulation and repair to my left knee, with an acl rupture, ( this was done 3 months after my accident) , the ACL wasn't removed on the first op as this was done on the NHS, I went privately after this op as only had 40degrees of movement due to the captured knee, had the next op privately 6weeks later on the same knee, had my ACL removed, blood and fluid removed, meniscual tear sown up and manipulation on leg to try and get it straight. Hamstring had shrunk by 3-4 inches, so have had physio every week (privately) to get me walking. P.s I had an accident at an exercise class on 22nd Dec 2015.
Don't go back too soon .....health more important.x
Thanks Chris. I appreciate your short, sweet and accurate advice. It is probably exactly what I would say to a friend or colleague.
Hope all is well.
Thanks again,
Alan
Thanks Sandra,
I know I want to get back to work, but yes, deep down I know I am not ready. It is a fast paced business and a demanding job.
Thanks for your advice and support all along.
I hope you are keeping well.
Take care,
Alan
That's amazing to be back at work already! Don't overdo! Good luck!
You may only need a couple more weeks, it's quite astonishing when you consider what has been done how the body heals itself little by little day by day. You said you have an hours drive, when we're you able to start driving again, I'm really missing my independence
The consultant said that I would be ok to go back to work, plus I only have 4 full weeks before breaking up for the summer. Hopefully I will be able to have my ACL repair in August, I've been off for 5 and a half months. I know that I need to rest each evening next week and as for help from my family with cooking etc. Good luck
Hi Irish Al!
It's GREAT to hear all is going so well for you following surgery! Taking six more weeks, maybe even more, will CONTINUE to benefit you because you will be able to rest as needed and give your body precious HEALING time. We heal when we sleep. If we don't get the rest we need, healing slows down. NONE of us want THAT!
In my experience with my two TKRs (June and October 2015), the best gift I gave myself was TIME to rest, heal, and progress at my own pace.
If a nap calls, BE READY!
Keep moving every hour to help combat stiffness and get stronger.
Stretch often.
Drink plenty of water.
Stay positive, and enjoy 6 more weeks of healing time.
Wishing you continued progress in your recovery!
Hi!
I've got my 6 week PO appointment at 2pm today & it will be interesting as to what the surgeon says! Last time (he did my left TKR in 2014)he had two X Ray's done to make sure that everything was still in position & then examined the knee etc. said he was happy re driving, going back to work etc. so off I went like a lamb to slaughter..... then suffered with a very swollen knee, pain etc until I reached 6/7months!
I only work 15 hours a week doing admin work at a desk, but not being able to elevate your leg or ice etc doesn't help with the recovery and as you will be working full time and walking too, if you can afford to have a few more weeks off or at least do a phased in return to work I'd advise trying that option. As for me, well I'm desperate to get back to "normal" as I'm fed up with being at home but this time I'll be very cautious about sitting for three hours a day at my desk! By the way, my physio warned me last time not to use an office chair with wheels as you risk twisting your knee and so I found a chair with four static legs to use for a month or so.
🚶🏻
Hi Sandra,
I am not driving yet. My surgeon told me to have a trial in an empty car park. I moved the car out of the drive and back in last night. It felt relatively OK, but not sure I'd be comfortable hitting the brakes quickly if I needed to.
I am going to my group physio session now and I will ask some of the participants and let you know the feedback later.
Hi iv just finished my 2 nd shift back at work and im 15 wks po! I was desperate to return to work and had 12 wks in my mind from just after my op! The date got nearer and i wasnt walking that well so i mentioned it to my gp and pt! They both said i had to be careful not to over do it as it would set me back! My physio said to me how far was i walking each day. At that point about 45 mins! He said that was a lot less than a shift at work! I am not on my feet all day its about half and half like you! I thought he had a point! I have said that just to make you think!
It is a major op and our bodies have loads of healing to do after so do be careful. The daily exercises walking and strengthening is hard to do so i didnt want to undo my hard work! It is hard mentaly to not be at work but it is only a short time in our lives! I struggled mentaly but now im back it is hard! Im doing a phased return a wk of 4 hrs then a wk of 5 hrs then 2 wks of 6 hrs before i go up to a full day! I start at 6 am which i am doing! Im tired just doing 4 hrs! I have come home today elevated and iced! My thoughts are be careful take it slow and dont expect to much from your body! It is so important we recover propaly. Everyone says it takes 6 mnths to feel back to normal. Im only 49 and havent been paid sick pay for the last few wks but i convinced myself it was daft to have come this far and damage my knee at the last hurdle! Sorry if this seems like a nag! Lol! Everyone heals at dif rates and we have to listen to our bodies! A few wks ago i thought i was never going to get there but im pleased now. Be kind to yourself!
I know I'm not ready to drive yet, but am hoping at 6 weeks I will be able too but I won't rush it if I'm not ready. Hope your physio goes well today and thank you too for all your support and advice the last few weeks. I wouldn't have got through them without the help and support of everyone on here, I was so unprepared for the reality, but things are very very slowly improving.
Oh dear what a dilemna work interesting a dan stimulating v solitude, boredom and exercises lol! Seriously, trust your instincts and listen to your Dr. Maybe it would help to negotiate a phased return to work maybe every other day at less hours eventually. I don't know how old you are but bodies need time to recover from the trauma of the operation, I had a spinal there was lots of sawing and hammering.....eek that's a shock to the system, e kind to yourself as long as you can and good luck