I'm curious to know when people return to work after TKR.
I'm 4 weeks post op and run my own business, so have been in the office pretty much every day, but tend to last only about 1/2 a day till I'm stuffed for the rest of the day. Luckily the business is run from home, so I only have to waddle a few metres to the office, and back when I've had enough. But come lunchtime, I'm always tired again and ready to finish up for the day.
How about you all?
Hi
I'm now 9 weeks and run my business - shop and from home. At 4 weeks I couldn't concentrate and sleepless nights meant I had to let things slide for a time. I had prepared for 2 months being out of action.
I popped into work at 5 weeks but felt better at 6 - I don't expect to do a full day until I'm 12 weeks.
It is nearly 3 am here in yorkshire and having a bad night, leg ache and uncomfortable so glad work is flexible I'm pleased to say.
Also it's a welcome distraction reading these posts ! 😊.
Good luck with your return to life !!
Sue x
I agree Sue, it is a welcome distraction!
It isn't so much pain that stops me doing more, its more the dopiness and weariness ... my work is online, so not much running around as such ... Sounds like yours may be similar.
All the best to you too,
Cheers,
Lindy
Hi
At 4 weeks sitting for a length of time was also uncomfortable. The nature of tkr is just finding the right balance. When to lay. Sit. Walk. Ice. Rest. And if your lucky - play. Lol.
Good luck
Sue x
I'm 18 weeks post TKR today (ooh it's like a birthday). I'm probably a little different than most in that my recovery is delayed/in limbo as I need further surgery to straighten in 5 weeks. I work 30 miles away from where I live so I'm still not able to drive that far. I have been working from home since 6 weeks. I've been going in to the office (driven by someone else) once a week since week 12. I had planned to be back properly by 12 weeks and I think without my other problems, I would of made this.
Hi Lindy I think im the longest off work lol??? I had my op 5.3.15 and im signed off til Monday but im not expecting to go back til mid july ish??? The reason being I have my FIRST physio today and I work in a maternity unit so its non stop and im still not 100% with steps???? I feel really bad as others went back ages ago but I mentally dont feel ready??? I wish I could do some computer work at home but its not allowed??
Goodness you are a champion, but, it's no wonder you are tired. I am 5 weeks post op on my second knee and if I work around the house for a couple house I am totally wiped. Take it easy, you will still be tired at three months after half a days work.
Andrea, you have to be mentally ready more than physically ready I think. My work is based around holidays and monitoring staff. It actually works better from home but it still took a few weeks for me to be on the ball. If you work in a maternity unit you really need to be 100%, don't feel bad about that. You can't go back until you're ready as no one will make allowances for you.
No they dont Kathryn thats half the problem once im back im back no allowances!!!!
Dear Lindyblue
I came back to work after 5 weeks but worked about 6 hours a day for about 2 weeks. I was extremely tired those days. You came back very early so I am not surprised how you feel. I am not sure that sitting for a longer time is very good for you. You should be doing a lot of exercises, obviously you cannot do them while you work. So please take it easy. Good luck !!!!
xxx
Hi Lindy
I went back at 6 weeks after each of my TKRs but, like you, I work at home.
I worked slightly reduced hours the second time, but I think that the sitting at the desk didn't help my recovery really and in time I struggled with straightening both of my knees and had MUAs.
My second knee is still not straight 9 months on and more painful since my MUA in March.
in some respects, I think that I may have recovered better if I had actually had to go out to work, as I would have moved around more. Also, as I wear slippers all day I struggle when I put shoes on, so that doesn't help either.
Patsy
I had TKR 3 years ago so am trying to think back that far.
At your stage I was having quite a lot of physio so could not have worked even from home I don't think.
If you are doing quite a lot of office work, sitting it is important to get up and move around frequenltly so you do not stiffen up.
It is still early days for you and I think you are doing really well to work at all
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah xx
I'm 13 weeks post op (had new plastic knee cap and metal trochlea -that's the bit behind it) on 24 March. I'm signed of work until the 16 July and unless a miracle happens I won't be going back then either! I drove for first time on Monday night this week.
My knee is healing fine, my problem is with muscle wastage, i.e. wore knee support for 11 years (am now 56 and was considered too young before), so muscles have forgotten what to do. I'm a secretary, office bound but up and down all day - but I am soooo tired come mid afternoon that I need a nap. Nightmare at night as knee is pretty comfortable but I suffer from menopausal night sweats - what a bl**dy vicious circle lol!.
I'm staying put until I feel more normal........and confident.
Dont you get fed up of folks asking when your going back???? I feel really guilty???
Lindyblue I have heard some go back at 12weeks or 16 weeks. I dont see how they did it. I am 8 week now and can barely get out of bed without exercising my knee some. My school starts in five more week August 4, 2015. I dont feel like I'll be ready then either. My knee is still stiff in the morning. I have to take pain meds before PT and sometimes at night to sleep, which I never do sleep. I toss and turn half the night.
I went back to work after 8 weeks. It's a desk job and I coped ok. I did catch every germ going for a while as I must have been run down. I think it helped me to just have to get on with it but everyone is different. The worst thing was I felt uncomfortable if I sat for too long so I just kept going for a little walk. I had my op February last year and I wish I'd had it done years ago. I used to be in do much pain I couldn't walk round a shop but now I can walk for miles and go to the gym. Good luck with you recovery.