So after a lot of thought I’ve decided to go back to work on a phased return. My sick note runs out on 9th April. I’m on my feet for 6 hours a day Mon-Fri so will try 3 days for few weeks to see how i get on.
I will be 10 weeks post op by then. I feel very low some days so I may benefit from returning. Has anyone found their return to work helpful, stressful, the right thing to do?
😊
Hi Wendie,
Hope you are feeling better. I about 15 weeks post op and just getting back to work. This is my second TKR, most people feel down at various points during the recovery, so don't worry it is pretty normal.
Re going back to work, just be careful not to overify do it. 6 hours per day sounds a lot to me but everyone is different. Also if you have an understanding boss and colleagues it's helpful. I would suggest to ease your way in and build up to six hours. Havery you spoke with your surgeon or physio? they are the experts. You will get good advice here from people like Chic and many others. Best wishes.
Alan
Apologies for typos.
Hi Alan, I hope you are well 😊
Yes I may just build up to a full day. I have literally just spoke to my boss and he is fine with me just doing as many hours as I can. So I can leave when I feel I’m getting tired so that’s a great thing, keeps the pressure off me a bit. I am so lucky.
I’m seeing physio and surgeon On wensday this week so will have a chat about it with them
Keep well 😊
sorry wendy i have only just had my op and to be honest i am in that much pain i am climbing the walls, nothing the doctors are giving me reduces the pain, i had knee replacement and i am asking what sort of pain relief people received, i want to go back to work asap but while in pain i cant, i would imagine being in work stops you thinking of everything else because i can twai to go back to work good luck to you max
Hi Max
You are at a very early stage of recovery Max. All I would say to you is remember we are all different and some recover quicker than others. I feel ready to at least tut to go back but listen to your body. I think for now you should take the time to concentrate on exercises, pain relief and getting some good physio before you return to work.
I decided that when I had my op 8 weeks ago, I would spend the next couple months making my recovery my priority as I want a functioning knee. Please don’t compare yourself to others. You will recover in your own time and you will know when’s your ready to go back.
Max are you still in hospital? THe staff should give you the right pain relief And ask for me more if you need it. Also they should send you home with supplies until you can get to your GP for another prescription. Are you in the UK? Never be afraid to ask medical professionals for help and advice and if you feel you are getting fobbed off then ask someone else.
It is a very long journey and it does get better. Keep reading And posting on here you will get some great support
Good luck with your recovery and remember it does get better 😊
Sorry for typos 😳
Three months back to work is borderline; less than that is virtually unheard of. Many people who try report stiffness, swelling, limping and more, then get home in pain to ice and elevate, have sleepless nights and have to get up and do it all over again. I've read over 4,000 posts...very few people successfully return to work at 3 months; 4-6 is more likely.
Caveat: This is so very individual. A lot of it is based on how much exercise you've done to rebuild your dead quads, glutes and core to support the knee for 6-8 hours of work plus the commute. If you haven't done the rebuild work, your strength to handle the time on your feet will be very limited. PLUS...there's type of occupation, work requirements, age, ROM achievement, remaining meds, and so much more. In truth, the knee will tell you when you're OK to work again. If you're already out there doing 10,000 steps a day, day after day with no problem, you've got a shot. Push it at your own risk. We always hope the best for our fellow residents of TKRville...but going back to work is a very tricky and touchy subject. Hope you succeed...make good choices...the knee has to be given time to heal regardless of what our brain desires.
Hi Chico
I trust you are well 😊 yep I hear what your saying. I’m lucky I can have a phased return, others arnt that lucky. I will do as many hours as my knee allows. The team
I work with are great and will totally support me whether I work 3 hours 4 hours or 6. I will be 10 weeks p/o on my return and will definitely play it by ear. Reading on here about some, I’m lucky I’ve been able to have so much time off.
Hopefully it will be a positive experience let’s watch this space 😂😂
I was off work 6 months with each knee. If you can it would be better if you delayed your return as long as possible. People have different circumstances, but the longer the better.
Thanks David
Yes I will bare that in mind. As I sit here now I’m wondering if it’s the right thing to do 😂 I’ll probably change my mind and back at least 10 times before then
Hope you are keeping well 😊
Hi all,
I’m going back to work on the 3rd April. I’ll be 11 weeks post op. I’m doing 2 x 4 hour days at work location and 3 x4 hour days at home. I am really nervous about going back. I feel I have lost some confidence. I am ok local and with local people but not do sure about getting back out there. I am also quite dedicated to the exercise routine and wonder if I’ll have the energy to do the both. I am quite young for a replacement at 52 and people seem to think I can just snap back and get on with things. I feel some are quite impatient with my rehabilitation.
Good luck Wendie with your return I hope it all goes well 😃👍
Just be careful. Less than 3 months is very, very early. Listen to your knee and the rest of your body. Do NOT jeopardize your long term health...
Hi Louise
Yeah it is daunting for sure. I did suggest to my boss to do 3 days but I’m gojng to tell him 2 days and see how I manage. Now I’ve read all these replies I’m having doubts 😫 I’ve still got couple I weeks to decide so shall see how I go
Many thanks for all your replies guys. It’s been massive help
Good luck with your return Louise. Hope it goes well 😊
Hi wendie I'm 6 months post op and I've been back to work since February on a phased return. Started the first week on 3x 4 hour days, the second week I did 3 normal shifts and have done this ever since by using annual leave up that I was entitled to. Just getting back to full hours now. My biggest problem was feeling so tired, it didn't take long for the energy to be drained out of me. I've got a Fitbit so I'm finding if I do over 15000 steps I have to ice and elevate when I get home. I'm taking less pain killers which is always a positive sign. The job I do is stressful anyway I'm an intensive care nurse so I get drained pretty quickly. For me as soon as I could a decent amount of steps without my knee swelling up I was ready to go back to work.
Hi Wendy I had my TKR on the 1st of November what a rollercoaster ride it has been and still is
due to start work on faced return on 1st of march ,not getting the bend so the surgeon decided to manipulate ,I thought once the manipulation I would be straight back to work the following week ,
how wrong I was , I am now getting a better bend but struggling with pain and walking, so not sure how long I am going to be off now good luck hope it goes ok ,I am desperate to get back to normality x
Hey Debbie,
Best of luck and don't forget 'Your Health is your Wealth'
Take care,
Alan
Hi Wendie
I went back at 4 weeks phased return for 3 hrs a day for 3 days week 5 was 4 and 5 hours a day full time from week 6. mUCH TOO SOON. Even sitting. I was exhausted ended up having to take Oral morphine some nights again. Felt I had to prove my worth. Physio couldn’t work with me on one occasion as I was so exhausted. Bend 125 straight now -4 at week 10. I’m still
In lots of pain. To add to it all my manager said to me yesterday how it had taken me some time to get back into work. I was so upset.
It doesn’t pay to kill yourself if you can afford to stay off then do. I couldn’t sadly.
I’ve never felt exhaustion like this and I can get very tearful with it. My Physio said to see occupational health; work have just said to see how I am next Physio visit. I’m sitting down most of day. Don’t have time to do exercices at work. Please think long and hard about going back. Yes my ROM is good; I look better for doing something but I don’t go out anywhere. I go to work I come home and I go to bed. It’s no life at the mo.
Hi Snoozy
Sounds like you’ve got it sorted. Sounds like it was a positive move for you 😊 I realise it will take time for me to settle back in.
Debbie, I’m sorry to hear the manipulation has caused you all this pain but keep going and stay positive. It does take time and I’m looking at my return to work as the next chapter in my book of recovery. I will have to be sensible on my return and listen to my knee 😊
Thanks for all your responses it’s appreciated very much
Oh dear trees .i wouldn’t or couldn’t of even thought about going back after 4 weeks, but I do understand other don’t have the luxury of having a good boss. I’m so sorry for you that your work couldn’t of understood a bit more. It is a catch 22 sometimes isn’t it. You need time to recover but also need to earn money.
Keep positive you will get there and keep posting 😊