Back to work

Bones, joints and muscles
1

hi all, 

i thought I would let you know that I start back to work tomorrow after nearly four months off having had a bilateral TKR in March, I am dreading it but looking forward to it at the same time, it feels strange after being in my little bubble of hospital and physio for the last few months, 

still having trouble straightening but hopefully being more active will help, Wish me luck!! biggrin

2

ohhhhh Sandra good luck you put me to shame. I had mine done in March and im nowhere near ready to go back??? ive still got severe stiffness and only starting my FIRST physio on Wed. Are you going back full time??

3

all the very best Sandra - be kind to yourself and try not to overdo things. God bless. 

 

4

Good luck, Sandra.

I'm sure it will be tiring for you at first, so listen to your body and don't overdo it.  I think that you are right and it will help the straightening.

I went back to work after 6 weeks with both of my TKRs, but because I work at home and sit at a laptop all day...I had problems straightening both of mine after a few months with MUAs on both.  One which worked and one which didn't.  When I worked in an office, I was always up and down, and out around the shops at lunchtime.  I also think that working at home probably caused some of my knee problems, and my poor feet got used to being in slippers all day too!

Take care, and let us know how you get on.

Patsy

5

Best of luck with going back to work! As everyone else will say...take it easy and don't over do it

6

Andrea, I'm with you. I had new plastic knee cap and metal bit behind it on 24 March so am nearly 13 weeks post op. I'm having real trouble with stiffness and muscles not working right and am currently signed off work until 16 July. I'm a Secretary but up and down from my desk all day and at the moment the thought of going back terrifies me. I can hobble about at home with no stick, but definitely not outside, confidence is shot and I am soooo tired in the afternoon and have to take a nap. Much as I do miss work I dont think work colleagues would appreciate me splayed out across keyboard snoring my head off. Am just going to take it as it comes, you never know we might make a miraculous recovery.......VERY SOON I hope!

7

Hi Sandra, I am happy for you. Glad to hear you have been signed off. I am also returning back to work with no restrictions. Have had complete tkr on left knee. Still have little stiffness and swelling. Dr. said was normal. Not to worry all part of healing progress. Like you am happy to be returning back to work. Good luck

8

Your every bit like me pam Im a clerical officer in the Maternity unit at our local hosp. Up and down backwards and forwards!!!! But worse of all up and down a step ladder for patient notes!!!! BUT like you im still not over the tiredness. They asked me last week for a rough return date and I said not before 15.7.15 but im at my GP a week tom so il see what he says????

9

Good luck with your return too Joseph dont overdo it though x x

10

Best of luck Sandra. Hope all goes well, once again, don't over do it, take care of yourself.👍😀

11

Good luck for tomorrow. Hope it all goes well but I'm sure you will be totally shattered for the first week or so. Just don't over do it and remember to rest whenever you can. 

12

Someone told me I'd know when I was ready and I think they are right. I waited 11 years for my op, and wore a knee support for that length of time and this has caused my muscles to be weak. Until I build them up, and I'm confident that they'll support me, I'm staying put. I dont want to risk causing more problems for myself for the sake of taking more time off. It's like being between a rock and a hard place, you're worried that colleagues might think you're taking the proverbial by taking so long to recover, but you're afraid if you return to soon you might not be up to the job (and I've been with same employer since I was 18 and to feel like this is totally alien to me!). One day normality will return, but until then.........PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE lol!

I live in a bungalow and only have a few steps outside which I currently negotiate whilst using my stick.......I can't begin to think how I'd go up and down a step ladder!!

13

Good luck on your return to work, personally I am going to hold out as long as I can, I have two weeks left on my fit note but I am still attending physio once a week and won't be signed off by my surgeon until this is complete so I am going to take a chance on extending my fit note for another month or two!

14

Hi, I'm back 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, my knees are still stiff as well but my physio says it might be good for me lol I work in the post office so up and down all the time, I am surprised that you haven't had physio yet tho xx

15

Good luck Sandra.  Hope it all goes well for you but same as everyone has said - don't over do it (easier said than done though!)

16

Hi. I'm signed off until the 6 July still but feel like I need to do something now and still attend physio twice a week but my surgeon signed me of at 6weeks post op, good luck with your recovery x

17

Good luck. I'm 17 weeks post op and still only managing one day a week in the office (my boss drives me). I'm lucky I can work from home. I'm climbing the walls and desperate to get back but I have further surgery in 5 weeks so it will be Sept at the earliest for me....I certainly didn't expect over 6 months off!!!

I hope it all goes well. From my one day in I would say to set a timer on your phone to remind you to do some walking/stretching. Your day will go so quick you'll forget. Also remember the water. Really knocked myself last week when I only drank one glass all day....only realised when I went the loo for the first time in 8 hours. Sleeping shouldn't be a problem tomorrow night x

18

Thanks Sandra, life is too short to rush back to work, lol.

19

Hi Sandra,

I also had a bilateral TKR March 3rd. I went back to work 2 weeks ago, I work 22 hours a week. It felt weird and it is hard. But it is good, especially because it makes the time pass until when these knees wil feel better. I still have a little limp and I'm still walking slow, but every week there is improvement. I just expected I would be father along by now. Working is helping me to not obsess about my knees as much..,,so that is good. I wish you luck as you start working again Sandra. Report back. Just be more patient with yourself than i was. Take care

20

Good luck you will be ok take it quietly its best that way or youwill be overwhelmed best wishesx