I had my TKR just over 5 weeks ago and have been on leave since then. There was a 2 week section in the middle when I was on "holidays" but nonetheless I have not returned to work since the operation. I have to say that I still at this stage feel totally incapable of working at my job - at a computer - I am always feeling the need to change positions ie from up to down, and from down to up, which I cannot do once I return to work. Also, by the time I complete the required exercising, walking, icing, physio appointments and dr appointments, the day is practically taken care of.
I'm wondering how long people in my situation have had off work. I saw one post some time ago where the patient said they'd had 12 weeks off but I'm wondering if I should be moving back to work yet or am I pushing it?
5 weeks is nowhere near long enough for recovery of tkr. The recommend time is 12 weeks and you need that time just for the internal healing I'm 9 week with no problems or complications but still not ready to go back don't be too hard on yourself you've had a major op and need the 12 week for your body to recover xx
Hi Lorene, my job is computer based too. I had a tkr 22 weeks ago, mine is complex and I have further surgery next week to straighten the leg. I'm lucky in that I've been able to work from home, I have been doing that since 8 weeks. My boss has driven me in to the office a day each week as I can't manage the 60 mile round trip drive myself. As my leg is still bent at 30 degrees, it is quite painful at times. That one day in the office is incredibly hard but I'm desperate to get back to normal so enjoy it. I am hoping for a quick recovery from my next op and hopefully I'll be back to normal in Sept.
Without all of my problems I think 12 weeks would of been about right for me to go back to work. Everyone is different though, don't go back until you're ready. I would think 5 weeks is too early, I would say you still have a lot more recovering to do. I certainly did at your stage but I appreciate mine is an extreme case.
My surgeon required a minimum of 2 months - and actually signed for 3 months for short-term disability payments - I believe fairly recent laws in most states require your employer to accomodate a "Reasonable amount of time" for your rehabilitation
Hi Lorene ive been off with a sick note since 5.3.15 and if it wasnt for the fact that il go onto half pay beg August id still be off because im just soooo tired but hey ho il have to cope???
I had 12 weeks off which my consultant recommended have been back at work 4 weeks now and finding it very tiring most days
Hi If you are on sick leave you can't take holiday in the middle of it and then sick leave again. That holday accrued shoukd be taken at another time or taken into account within a phased return. The certificate from your gp will reflect this. I was off work three months.
Thanks Susan but under my employment condiitions I have to take the hols when they fall.
thanks so much for your insight kathryn.
Thanks Mark. I have sick leave available but wondered where I stood in relation to other people's recovery time.
Thanks andrea - I'm incredibly tired too. Not sleeping for longer than 2-3 hours at a time.
Thanks sharon. I'm very tired too and emotional. Had to go to my GP today for something else and he asked how I was - I dissolved into tears!
I gather you are not in the uk then?
You need to contact your employer and ask about your hols we are different hols are cancelled or don't count when your off sick and they are given back to you if you see what I mean
Hi Lorene I had my op in january and took 5 months off of my job in a school...only went back 3 and a half weeks ago and found I came home and needed a nap still! Take as long as you possibly can really I didn't worry about what they thought either my knee was more important...now I am on summer hols!
Hi sarcee. Was your 5 months planned absence or have you added time as you needed it? I had no idea the toll the op would take and thought I would bounce back in no time - boy have I had a wake up call!! I have plenty of sick leave available and go back to see my surgeon for my 6 week check next week. I just wondered where I stood in relation to other people's healing process.
If you could set up a similar condition at home like you have at work ( at least chair/desk height) a nd practice sitting for same time spans, hitting up and down and giving the commute trial runs. Obviousily that wouldn't be as exhausting as the real thing but would give you some ideas. Personally, be forced to sit and do any form of work that required the brain to function continually at a high level would be absolute torture to me at that stage.(unfortunately I wasn't to good at that when I was at my best). Friday will be a month for me after my most recent surgery and can't imagine having any kind of morning commute, sitting in one b a sic location, be expected to turn out any kind of accurate production and not being able to lay down and rest during the day. I know for sure my transpotation for the evening commute would be a basket. Take as long as you can before going back because most employers would be much happier waiting for you to return than having to reset schedules after you return then having to shuffle people again when you find its too much and you can't do it. Besides, you can have some long term health issues pushing things too fast.
I too was off for 3 months and am in a computer based job. There was no way that I could have gone back before that time both physically and mentally. To be honest I still don't really feel mentally fit for the job!!