Hello hippies,
Has anyone returned back to a sedentary job 4 weeks post op? how did you cope? on cutches or crutchless? were you still stiff?
i went back to an office volunteer job and a pottery class two days a week after five weeks but it may have been a bit early as I was stiff when getting up from the chair, and I limped around the room... better to wait until you can walk upright easily, so as not to get your body used to being bent over...don't really know which is best but I have just spent two days resting and sleeping - scared I had damaged my hip by too much bending and very fast walking. So good to be able to share our views on here - it has comforted me this last few days.
(age 64, revision with bone graft)
Hi well done you!! Hope you're not over doing it! I am a carer so a. Lot of time running around and upstairs ,downstairs etc! Washing,cooking,ironing etc ! Yes I am stiff and still swollen! But in 3 weeks time I will be relaxing in a warm jacuzzi! As I celebrate our wedding anniversary!! Regards Amanda
I returned to office work 6 weeks post op but only work 3days and did phased return, doing half day, then increasing. I work in school office so then had two weeks off Easter hols. I found I was very tired and yes stiff if sat too long (still am now). I took stick first week just as safety thing! Don't use it now. Good luck to you, just remember to not sit too long x
How was the BBQ Surafawaz?
Hi Tracy, went to my friend's place parked the car the walked to their garden (not far), by that time I was sweating and out of breath, i think I might be low on iron, the BBQ was great and friends were very understanding and helpful, the kids stole my crutch , sat for 2 hours but felt really sore after, went back home and did a 1.5 Km walk...today am done!! very tired...overall was worth it
Well done and sounds had fun time. Now take it easy today as if overdo it can cause some probs following exertions yesterday. Have a great day.
Hi surafez
I went back to clerical position at 8 weeks on a phased return 3-4 hrs one day, then rest day then work same next day, then rest day etc and did 2 days next week as Easter and following week every day but was only 3 days as Easter and my sons wedding the next week every day but only 4-5 hrs a day etc.
Its better to wait another couple of weeks especially as having been off so long than go back and than put your recovery back.
The difficulty I still have of being at work even though back 5 weeks now is sitting too long, at home I'm up and down, but at work I get engrossed in something and forget to get up and walk around, also I found at one point I was leaning over too much which was giving me pain in my groin and I had to stand up but that has now eased and I am more aware of sitting back and not bending forwards.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck and most of all take care.
I'm going back w/c 11th may when I will be almost 10 weeks. My job consists of sometimes not being able to get away from my desk sometimes, to other times being up and running around so much that my bum never warms my chair! I'm going to have to remember to vary it, and to get up and walk a bit, even if my phone is ringing. They can always leave a message.
Even now, at 8 weeks, I'm finding I'm stiff and sore some days (although that could be that I'm going overboard on the exercises, having maybe neglected them a bit at the start). I'm determined now though to get my left hip in as good shape as I can before returning to work, and also as I'm to have the right one done too, sometime towards the end of the summer.
In my opinion you are maybe going back a bit too soon but each of are different and o ly you know how you feel and what you think you are capable of. Just remember though, the restrictions apply right up until you are three months post op so be careful not to overdo it.
Take care.
Ali xx
I'm going back tomorrow after 8 weeks. Or I originally intended to go back after 6 but when it came to it knew I just wasn't ready? Still concerned about how it will go - only work four days a week (don't do Wednesdays) so two days at a time. Have to drive 15 miles to get there, walk about 10 mins from car park, and do stairs every time I leave my office. ( live in a bungalow, so although I know I can do stairs am not used to doing them several times a day). Am actually signed off until 12 may - so will go home early if I find it all too much. Annoyingly it is actual my other hip (bone on bone) which is really giving grief. Will let you know how it goes.
I'm going back tomorrow after 8 weeks. Or I originally intended to go back after 6 but when it came to it knew I just wasn't ready? Still concerned about how it will go - only work four days a week (don't do Wednesdays) so two days at a time. Have to drive 15 miles to get there, walk about 10 mins from car park, and do stairs every time I leave my office. ( live in a bungalow, so although I know I can do stairs am not used to doing them several times a day). Am actually signed off until 12 may - so will go home early if I find it all too much. Annoyingly it is actual my other hip (bone on bone) which is really giving grief. Will let you know how it goes.
Hi Shirley, if you are signed off till!12 may why are you going back ?
Mixture of things Christine - the thought of 8 weeks work that has piled up - also my firm has been very good and paid me full pay whilst I have been off and I'm aware that I am going to have to have the other hip done which will mean 6-8 weeks off again.
Well I'd see how you go but if you've got a sick note till 7th may, I wouldn't have thought they'd want to have you back till then its only another 2 weeks and if they've been good to you so far, then it looks as if they are keen to have you back.
However as I said I went back at 8 weeks and I've been fine, but you have got to be careful and not forget especially when going up and downstairs, pace yourself and don't try to catch up too quickly, after all if they've let it wait 3 mths now another few weeks isnt going to make a difference.
I also found obviously I couldn't reach anything that was low which was quite a lot when i got round to it like not being able to reach in bottom drawers of filing cabinet. So make sure you don't do anything to jeapodise your operated hip or you could be off work a lot longer than you first thought.
As I said be careful and put your hip first, no swizzling on chair unless you take your feet with you lol !
Let us know how you get on.