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Back to work....exhausted!

Posted , 10 users are following.

linda_50869
linda_50869

So I'm 12 weeks post op ...Back to work this week....my job is fairly sedentary , bit of moving around , but I have to commute an hr each way...I'm in three days, working at home two. Trying to keep up the physio exercises and my gym....I'm pretty wiped....not helped by very low iron too ...

While I can swim, gym and use pedals, I can't cycle a bike yet and my walking isn't great...I get a lot of cramping in my calve and the back of my knee.....the knee pain is similar to pre op pain I had ...should I be able to walk well at this stage? I use a stick but about 20 mins each way with a rest in between is enough for me ....the weather is getting nicer...I'd love to be able to comfortably walk more ...walking and cycling were two of my goals!!!!

Back to consultant in a few weeks So I'll talk to him too...

Plus....I'm finding I'm now more aware of the pain in my other knee!! Which I thought I'd get a few more years out of....

How's everyone else doing??

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX linda_50869

    Posted

    Three months is early to return to work.  While some (very few) have done it successfully, the typical report is pain, swelling, stiffness, sleeplessness and more...then they have to get up the next day and do it all over again.  Plus, shifting your weight unconsciously to the other side of your body causes pain there plus can lead to a misalignment of your hips and lower back only causing more pain.  After reading over 4,000 posts on here, this is all very typical of people who return to work too soon.

    ?Two major causes: 1. you have not given the knee the time it needs to fully heal; and 2. you have not done all the exercise work necessary to rebuild the musculature that supports the knee.  Quads, glutes and core have all atrophied and it takes a long while to get that back.  Meanwhile, you are putting all the stress on the new knee joint, hence the pain. If you've done all the ROM work in months 1-3, the muscle rebuild is months 4-6...and continues for a lifetime to maintain it.

    ?Just had a member report following the plan and returning to work at 5 months with zero problems.  We realize that not everyone can stay out of work that long but just understand the cost of going back too soon.  What you report is very, very common.  Consider lightening up at work...a portable CryoCuff can keep the knee iced all day.  Keep up the muscle rebuild...that is critical.  When you get home, ice and elevate plus do whatever is necessary to get a good night's sleep.  If you can't delay returning to work, you have to do the best you can.  Just remember that the muscle rebuild will be critical to your long term success.

     

    • linda_50869
      linda_50869 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Chico ....while I appreciate our knowledge and endless support of everyone on this forum...some of us HAVE to go back to work ....I'm in my 40s, years left on my mortgage, supporting myself so I can't afford to go on half pay which is the option. I am working less hours and less days, so that's the best I can do. My job is not manual...mostly talking!! I am doing my full set of home exercises twice a day....my physio is happy with me ( I only go periodically as we pay here, no physio included in hosp discharge) and I am going to the gym 6 days a week...some days swimming, walking and stretching in the pool....some aqua and some gym work...I am doing my best....I am simply saying i still have some pain....I'd love the luxury of staying off work for months more and focussing completely on me but i can't....i rarely ice now as have v little swelling.....

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX linda_50869

      Posted

      Lots of people are in the same boat and MUST return to work.  If you can handle it, fine...just take it slow and listen to your knee.  There are patients out there back to work way too soon because they have a lot of the issues you describe.  It's a tougher road than taking the time off but it's doable if you understand the consequences and treat yourself as best as you can.  Find time for a "breather" during the day, get a portable CryoCuff if swelling becomes an issue, walk your max steps for the day and no more, use a cane for a while to take the pressure off the knee...  Lots of ways to handle this.  Just be good to yourself, hydrate a lot and get good sleep at night.  Do whatever you have to do...just don't push the knee too far and stay focused.  You can do this!!!!!

  • shari_48634
    shari_48634 linda_50869

    Posted

    Just had my second total knee replacement on the same knee I had 19 months ago. I can not get over the difference I have no pain I sleep all night I was out walking today. Now I need a good lawyer. 
  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 linda_50869

    Posted

    My walking only started to take off around 3 and a half months post op, so no worries I dont think. Walking in swimming pool is excellent and helps a lot. I also found walking poles for brisk walking helped me get back into the swing of walking naturally. I was confident to take bigger faster strides without any worries of falling. My quads took a while to strengthen up.
  • Saint2012
    Saint2012 linda_50869

    Posted

    I am 11 weeks post op.and returned to work 8 hours a day on feet on concrete floors.A week of he'll a lot of pain and swelling.I too have the calf and back of knee pain.hoping the leg work I am doing at gym will pay off within the next couple of weeks!

  • anna59931
    anna59931 linda_50869

    Posted

    Hi Linda it does take time as I had a half knee replacement 9 years ago on my right knee. I got a full knee replacement on 31 jan this year am the same hoping half knee replacement is ok. As you put a lot of presure on your other knee. Just hoping I can go back into work soon. Will see my consultant on the 29 may will also get a x-ray done. Hope all is ok with your other knee.x
  • Snoozy69
    Snoozy69 linda_50869

    Posted

    Hi Linda I returned to work at 5 months on a phased return. I started doing 4 hours a few times a week and built up from there. It was still tough to start with mainly feeling exhausted if anything else. At 12 weeks I was nowhere near ready I tried to go back at 4 months but my boss took one and look at me and said NO you're not ready yet. I'm 7 months post op now and back to full duties and the knee is holding up ok it still reminds me if I do too much so I wear a Fitbit so I can monitor what I am doing. If I get pain it's usually because I've gone over 15000 steps in a day so I just slow down a bit. I still take a frozen gel pack to work and put it on during my break but swelling is minimal now. I'm managing to cycle short distances but the movement still doesn't feel natural at the moment I'm still lifting my hip up    

  • pam27264
    pam27264 linda_50869

    Posted

    Hi Linda I have just had my 3 month follow up with my surgeon today he was really pleased with my progress he said x-ray told him everything with my knee looked great, my ROM is still only 90ish I am walking unaided but it still feels uncomfortable and my knee is still slightly swollen, i am retired so don't have to worry about returning to work and I feel for those on here that do, I wanted to respond to your comment about low on iron,I had blood test 2 weeks ago and it revealed I was anemic my doc put me on iron tabs been on them 2 weeks and I cannot believe how much better I feel already had my other knee rep 5yrs ago seriously the best thing I have ever done best wishes pam

    • linda_50869
      linda_50869 pam27264

      Posted

      Thanks Pam.......I'm on iron already for a few weeks ...no huge improvement yet..my iron stores...ferretin levels were really low so it will take time...consultant app is 10 days so will let you know how I get on ..thanks

    • pam27264
      pam27264 linda_50869

      Posted

      Hi Linda I had to have repeat blood test yesterday as my ferreting levels were really high 2 weeks ago doctor thought this could be due to trauma from the op they also tested my b12 , it's confusing because my ferritin is high but they put me on iron tabs will get bloods back tomorrow hope my ferritin has reduced keep me posted

    • pam27264
      pam27264

      Posted

      Sorry I mean I hope my ferritin has lowered to normal and yours has increased to normal
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