Back to work?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

How long did it take for all of you to get back to work?

I'm a caterer. It's been 2 months and I tried to work an event, but now I am so very sore!

2

I do different work. Even so. It was 3 months before i went to see a client. I was sore. Driving and sitting. I'm now at 8 months and what a huge difference. Do your exercises!

3

Depends on age and fitness but I would say 2 months is too soon. Your body is still doing a lot of healing and needs rest as well as physical therapy. Some people here have gone back to work after 3 months and some have taken longer. I am retired and at just over 3 months. I still cannot do all my housework! My physical therapist says improvement starts faster between month 3 and 5, so hoping that is true. For now slow but steady is my motto. 

Good luck to you,

Peg

4

I went back to work 2 weeks post op on the first hip replacement. It was too soon. I had to have a surgery to correct a mistake that was made and had 6 weeks off after that surgery. I went back 4 weeks post op after the second hip replacement. I am on my feet on and off throughout the day and don't carry anything heavy.  I had 3 surgeries in 9 months and was tired for a long time. 

5

I am a school bursar and went back at 6 weeks and was fine.  However I imagine your job involves far more carrying, standing and walking around so it would not be fair to compare the two.  I know I used to get sore around that time if I did too much gardening or shopping and then visiting my elderly mother.   A catering event sounds very busy and stressful to me and I would imagine you need to give it longer than 2 months to cope with the whole thing.  Good luck and be kind to yourself.

6

Went back on a phased return at 12 weeks. I work in microbiology at the hospital where I had the surgery.. Was told before the op that 3 months is more or less to be expected

7

I went back at 8 weeks. I have an office job. When you are in catering it should be at least 3 months. I was shattered but made sure I moved regulary and did my physio exercises during the day.

8

Hi Lucky  

It pretty much depends on how well you're coping and the type of job you do.  I went back to work 10 days after the op - my boss is very demanding and very unsympathetic - but, unlike yours, my job is not physically demanding.

I found doing anything physical difficult for about 5 months post op - by physical I mean housework and gardening - things that are not normally classified as being particularly 'physical'.

I think you're brave in trying,but I would have thought that with the type of job, two months is way too soon. 

Is it possible for you to try a phased return - i.e. starting at a couple of hours and working your way up to full time of the course of several months?

Keep doing your exercises - they really do help.

Good luck!

9

Hi, I was able to go back to work at 4 weeks post-op from anterior approach thr... that being said I work in the hospital and was expected to return to full duty, which I did with the help of my awesome co-workers. I still was dealing with on and off swelling and bad lower back  and "nerve pain" but was able to use my cane when my leg felt  weak and tired. I guess its different for everyone and the best advice is to listen to your body...rest, ice and elevation is key

10

Hi Lucy, I am a baker, I own a small artisan bakery with a small team.  I am now 11 1/2 weeks post THR,  gym fit pre op and 56 years old. 

I am only working a few hours a day (on my feet the whole time) any more than that and I am shuffling and pain in my groin, knee and thigh.  I really need one crutch as I walk with a distinct limp without, but working is not practical with a crutch.   I also have a dog which I walk everyday, mostly on the flat with a few gentle hills, I also swim 3 - 4 times a week.

I saw the surgeon 2 weeks ago and he felt I was doing too much and to do less!!  The age old advice!!  ( I was working 8 hour days then but was exhausted and in pain pretty well constantly).  I think the pain may be less after reducing my work load,  but as you know of you are self employed it puts a financial strain on your business if you are unable to do a million hours a day, and like me I guess you are on your feet a lot?

I have got another consultants appointment in a week, he his going to do an x ray and MRI to ensure there is nothing going on and that I am just not giving it time to heal properly.

Now I know from all the helpful advise from some lovely people on this forum,  that it can take up to 2 years to heal properly, but with your own physically demanding business to run it is difficult not to be despondent and unable to take the time off we probably need, and to wonder if the pain is normal.

Talk to your Dr or consultant,  I think I am fortunate that both of mine are brilliant.

On that note - good luck!!

 Chris

11

Dear Christine

I know that especially if you are self employed it is tempting to push oneself but if you need a crutch to avoid limping I would say that you need to build your muscles and whilst doing so use both crutches. To not do so will slow your recovery and will likely put your back out of true leading to other problems.

Cheers Richard

12

Dear Lucy

I think your body is telling you to ease up. There really is no benefit in pushing yourself too hard.

We all mend at different rates dependent on so many factors but one thing is for sure doing your exercises is very important and so is concentrating on walking with a good gait and using two crutches or sticks until your muscles can fully and properly carry your weight

Cheers Richard

13

I went back to work after 13 weeks and i was sore i reduce hours for a while. I working in nursing home and from beginning it was very hard. I still find some time hard and im some time tired. 

Hug Madla

14

Dear Chris

Have you considered using an iWalk 2.0 ?  It's a special strap on crutch that allows one to walk around freely with both hands totally free?

I've been practicing with mine for when I go for my ankle revision as I cannot face the limitation of not being able to work around the house without the use of both of my hands.

Good luck

Richard

15

I went back to work after 10 weeks, but I have a desk job.  If you are on your feet a lot, it will take at least 3-4 months.  You should also start back part time and work up to full-time.

The soreness is caused by muscles that haven't had to work for a while.  Imagine if you were a normal healthy young person.  If you were wanting to run a marathon, you wouldn't just take off running that day.  These things take time. 

Alternate heat and ice until the discomfort has subsided

Best wishes, and take things slowly!

16

hi dear Lucy

Are you  preparing and serving  the food ? is it just you or do you have a good staff ..

You already dislocated your hip once before and just had it repaired, so why are you taking such a big risk ?

I understand that as it is your own business you have to go back sooner rather than later - not only for financial purposes but also for keeping it going ...

The responses are varied, aren't they as it really depends on the job it self ... 

You might be okay .. you know your body, do you? so listen and know when to stop ...

good luck ... I know it is hard work and I hope you have someone to help you out -

big warm hug

renee

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17

Five months, due to needing revision 10 weeks after the THR .

So actually 12 weeks after the revision operation.

18

Hi Richard,

I feel completely useless using one crutch, I haven't used 2 for a couple of weeks now, mostly because I have got fed up of people commenting on the fact that I have 2 crutches still, to be fair they also comment on the fact that I am using one at all !!  

I certainly never anticipated, or was actually told that the recovery could take so long.  In fact I genuinely thought from what the physio said told me that it was probably 6 - 8 weeks, and then I would be fine to return to work.  My work is full on and it is a family business, it's hard to sit back and watch my family wearing themselves out trying to cover my work.  I have tried to cut work and exercise back the last 2 weeks, but I haven't really noticed any change in my mobility or pain.  I understand from what you all say that gait is important so I will try going back to 2 crutches again.

I googled the iwalk 2.0. It looks great but says you can only use it for injuries below the knee.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

I will keep you posted on progress

Chris

19

Dear Christine

Absolutely right regarding the iWalk...how stupid of me, that's what happens when one is also on the ankle replacement forum!

I think you may be surprised by a bit of resting and using both crutches until you have built up more muscle strength.

Hope it goes well for you.

Cheers Richard

20

Hi Lucy, I went in for a few meetings at week 7, but I then waited until week 10. I teach 4 and 5 year olds, but only 3 days a week. I do remember being very tired and achy to begin with. Take care, Judith