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Concerned about returning to work any suggestions?

Posted , 6 users are following.

victoria19887
victoria19887

Hello I'm new to the forum and it's helped me a lot over the last few weeks. I had a THR in October and I'm due to return to work early in the new year, I thought I would feel much better than I actually feel! I work in healthcare and use my car constantly for my job visiting service users etc., but I'm struggling still getting out of a chair, I ache like hell until I get going, I'm not using sticks and walking independently but really quite slow. Fortunately I'm not suffering the indescribable pain I had before my op, but I'm still taking pain killers for the stiffness that's the only way I can describe it. I'm walking and using stairs on a regular basis, and recently I went to the gym but found it exhausting after about 20 minutes and don't seem to have the stamina and energy I had before my op. I did yoga pre op to keep myself moving but I'm struggling with the simple moves now, can anyone advise me how long this lethargy continues for its scary? Would be grateful for any advice fellow hipsters😁

 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • christine2107
    christine2107 victoria19887

    Posted

     Hi Victoria - Don't worry these are early days in terms of rehab. It's normal to find you can't last long in the gym for the first few weeks of going.

    Ask for physio exercises so you build up all round strength as its core and small muscles as well as big ones that need attention - otherwise you can get out of kilter mechanically as I did.

    If you get new pain or are getting stifff then get a physio referral as the longer it is left the harder to recover from. You should also consider writing to your consultant and ask for a review. This is all advice based on over 12 months getting rehab after an over tight fitting of my new hip and I am still on codeine daily and unable to work. So don't push yourself and listen to your body and take time to recover and rehab. If you feel you need longer to rehab and can take the time before returning to work it's worth it - people are more forgiving of an absent colleague than one who is in work but not able to do the job fully.

    • victoria19887
      victoria19887 christine2107

      Posted

      Hi Christine

      Thanks for your prompt reply, I'm due to see my consultant and physio a few days before I'm back into work, so will see what they say, just find it hard as I thought I'd be up and running(not literally) after twelve weeks, when the op was discussed it was just mentioned that id have to be off work for twelve weeks, so you kind of get it in your head that that's how long it will take, after reading other people's stories on the forum I think I'm doing quite well, I do realise that everybody recovers differently and the 12 weeks is just a generic term they use for everybody, I will discuss with work my caperbilities and see what they have got to say, thanks again for your views.😃

  • kathee58019
    kathee58019 victoria19887

    Posted

    Victoria,

      I had my surgery Sept 30, and feel really good. I still have pain(stiffness) sometimes when first getting up and I have bad days occasionally. But I stopped taking pain meds (the narcotics they give you) two weeks after surgery. My recovery was so much easier without the side effects of the drugs. You may want to make sure your meds aren't causing you problems. I was having terrible muscle spasms and cramps in my hip from the meds and as soon as I stopped taking them, that all stopped and my pain was reduced by about 75%. I now walk a mile long trail every other day along with the other gentle exercises for range of motion and I lift light weights at home for my upper body. I also take supplements everyday: 1000 mg fish oil, it's an anti-inflammitary plus helps with circulation, Ester-C 1200 mg to heal my bones and tissue, and BCAA to heal my muscles. The BCAA (branch chained amino acids) also give you energy. It comes in either a whey protein drink or pill form. Also make sure you are drinking enough water. It's really easy to get dehydrated during this recovery. If I do need something for pain, I just take ibuprophen.

      Yesterday was the first time I was able to shave my legs standing in the shower since my surgery! Getting past these obstacles, no matter how small is an exciting thing for me and a step closer to recovery. This is after all, major surgery. I hope I helped, even a little.

    Good luck,

    Kathee

      

    • victoria19887
      victoria19887 kathee58019

      Posted

      Hi Kathee

      Thanks for your reply, I'm aware of the medication causeing problems and I have cut down by 2 thirds of the the meds I was taking this stiffness has only occurred in the last few weeks, so I wondering if by doing more because I feel better it creates other problems! I was before my op a big supplement taker because I thought it helped with the arthritis so I may just get in the cupboard and see what's lurking, thanks for you advice it all helps 😃

  • patricis
    patricis victoria19887

    Posted

    Hello Victoria,

    I was going to mention, like the ladies below about physio...I was given about l3 total exercises to do which would build up certain muscles that don't necessarily get the right work out by just going up stairs and "being active"...these focus on the muscles, etc. that were directly affected by the surgery...so I would check again with your therapist so she can what your work out consists of and maybe change it up if needed....if you don't have physio, is this something you can ask your doctor for a referral so you don't have to pay...or if not..perhaps someone on this site can message you copies of the ones they were given by their surgeon.

    Best of luck and don't get discourged...keep in touch with those on this site for any support you feel you need...sometimes it is just nice to talk to someone going through the same thing as yourself.

    Patricia (Toronto, 6l, and almost 5 months post op - going for my left hip this coming summer)

    • victoria19887
      victoria19887 patricis

      Posted

      Thanks Patricia for you words of wisdom I think like you says it helps to hear what other people around our age (54) is going through think I've decided it's probably realistically going to be fine in another 2 months so I'll just have to bite the bullet get my backside into gear and get to the gym and probably a gentle swimming class ..........we'll see😉
  • susan3101
    susan3101 victoria19887

    Posted

    Very similar to you Victoria. Had my right done Oct 18th. Returning to work 5th Jan but i am in a office and can sit or stand when i like. If i didnt have that freedom of movement i think i would be getting a further med cert as i have good and bad days still. Exactly as you in that sitting is comfortable and takes a while for me to stand straight and get going.Tried walking without one stick but sometimes feels worse so have to revert back to using. All i would say is Will you be on "Phased return to work" hours where you can buid up your days gradually. I would discusss this with your employer as you sound like you will struggle if going back full time.

    Sue.

  • beachbum1957
    beachbum1957 victoria19887

    Posted

    Hi Victoria,

    The work can wait until you are fully ready and capable to do the work.

    Returning to work is usually after three months post op.

    Driving a vehicle usually is after 6 weeks.

    So dont rush into your recovery. As kathee mentioned BCAA, i take Whey Hydro protein has BCAA which will assist into your recovery. As your doctor before taking these proteins. I take em to heal faster and get stronger as i exercise for flexibility and strength.

    Best wishes towards your recovery.

     

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