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going back to work?

Posted , 11 users are following.

jools2512
jools2512

I'm day 25 post left hip replacement (posterior), and not due to see my surgeon until week 6. My sick note runs out on the same day, and I have found that I am already on the rota at work for the day before. I've only just graduated to one stick, and think I am walking with a limp, and certainly am nowhere near where I should be for a gruelling shift. Although I think I'm doing well, I'm not sure I will be up to x three 12 hour shifts a week. I am worried my surgeon will say 'you're fixed now, go back to work'. It seems Occupational Health want you back ASAP too. Whilst I don't want to malinger, I am anxious that if I go back too soon I will be off again, thus incurring more sick time. Does anyone have any idea as to how I should handle this? As a final note, getting a GP appointment is utterly impossible!

1 like, 20 replies

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  • clare83752
    clare83752 jools2512

    Posted

    Hi maybe talk to Work and see if u could do reduce hour or light duties or just phone your gp and ask them for another certificate as you are not ready to go back my Occ Heath have put lots in place for me to go back but I know management will do what they want to do I’m going back when I know I can do my job without a problem 
    • jools2512
      jools2512 clare83752

      Posted

      Hi Clare, thank you for your reply. Hopefully I can actually see someone at the surgery just to explain what I'm trying to achieve in case I need another note. Yes, I am a bit bored, but have loads of online training to be getting on with cry. My Occy Health really weren't at all encouraging when I had my 'phone' appointment, suggesting even if I'm not cleared for driving it is of no consequence, as I don't drive for my job. But it must be half a mile to the nearest bus stop, so not exactly the right reply. In truth, I wasn't managing before, and had shortened the shift length over more days and had taken on the mountain of clinic letters etc, so my manger was pretty good. But the real job is on your feet, manual handling and sometimes walking up to 5 miles a day, so I do need to be right. I have seen physio today, and again am not as good as I thought I was, and my leg is significantly weaker than the non - operated one, so more exercises added to the collection!  I will keep you posted as to how I get on wink

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen jools2512

    Posted

    Dear Jules

    You should resist all calls to return to work if you are still limping. Also you should consider using both sticks or crutches because your muscles obviously have not recovered sufficiently to walk correctly with a good gait.

    Good luck, Richard

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen jools2512

    Posted

    Dear Jules

    You should resist all calls to return to work if you are still limping. Also you should consider using both sticks or crutches because your muscles obviously have not recovered sufficiently to walk correctly with a good gait.

    Good luck, Richard

    • jools2512
      jools2512 RichardKen

      Posted

      Hi Richard, 

      ?yes, I'm back on 2 crutches outside as I have seen physio today. While generally I'm doing well. my leg is much weaker than my good one, so lots more rehab exercises to do! Once you can actually get to speak to a GP, or be lucky enough to be granted an appointment it's not too bad. The problem lies with getting past the receptionist in the first place. Luckily I have a cunning plan.........visit on crutches and present myself to their desk. Much more difficult to say no......

  • t3chiman
    t3chiman jools2512

    Posted

    "...I am anxious that if I go back too soon I will be off again, thus incurring more sick time. Does anyone have any idea as to how I should handle this? ..."

    Jools-

       At 6 weeks post-op, a THR patient could consider returning to a sedentary job. 12 weeks would be far superior: your body has been through a lot, plus you weren't too healthy to begin with. Physical therapy will be quite tiring enough, not to mention adding a grueling work schedule to your burden.

    Give yourself, your family, and your co-workers a break. Go back to work in December. If you just gotta get back on the job, opt for some desk work, and do it part-time for 6 weeks. There is no benefit for anyone if you: have to take pain meds on the job, fall asleep, trip and fall, or any one of 55 bad things that happen to awkward, uncomfortable, workers.

    Hope this helps.

  • jillypops
    jillypops jools2512

    Posted

    If you can't see your GP, could you request a phone call? Perhaps explain situation to receptionist who could ask GP to phone you?

    I'm on a staged return to work with initial note from gp then followed up by occy health who have been v supportive. Perhaps speak to them too? Best of luck. X

    • jools2512
      jools2512 jillypops

      Posted

      Thanks jillypops, I'm going to try my luck at the doctors receptionist desk and see how I get on, as you can hardly ever get through anyway, or are in a queue for 15 minutes and get cut off when you get to number1!

      I was under the impression I would have a staged return, but it may be Occy Health aren't aware I've been put on to full shifts yet. I think the lady I spoke to originally just wasn't very client friendly! I'll keep you posted. smile

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK jools2512

    Posted

    I was told that I would be off for 12 weeks ......... so you should be able to get an extension from your surgeon to the sick note.

    As for work, tell them you need a phased return - that's what I had, but then I had extended problems after my bodged THR. 

    Graham

    • jools2512
      jools2512 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks Graham, yes, back to 2 crutches out of doors after seeing physio today. Seems I'm doing ok, but my leg is much weaker than the other. Very interesting ways of testing it, and it proved I have a way to go. Hopefully my surgeon has seen lots of patients with physical jobs and understands the need to be as good as you can be before resuming work. And I will see about a phased return too smile

  • judith12644
    judith12644 jools2512

    Posted

    Hi Jools, I’m sure your surgeon wouldn’t say that you need to be back at work at 6 weeks. You need signing off by your gp I think you need to phone  up the receptionist and explain that you need signing off. See a different gp if necessary? There must be emergency appointments, or as suggested, get your gp to phone you back. Good luck, remember your own health comes first.
  • lisa31002
    lisa31002 jools2512

    Posted

    Tell them they're nuts and for a hospital they should know better. Tell them you'll be back in January and get a note from your GP !! 😲

    • jools2512
      jools2512 lisa31002

      Posted

      Thanks Lisa, I think as I am one of the oldest workers in my unit, they really have no idea how to deal with such matters. No one is ever off sick, no one I can recall since I have worked there over 12 years has had anything remotely like it, and the workforce turnover is very rapid too, so the average age is around 30!

      I would say that Occy Health Dept have very limited experience of such things too to be honest, judging by the conversations I have had with them! I will have to let you know how I get on biggrin

  • Dav1953
    Dav1953 jools2512

    Posted

    Get a new gp. Must have someone that will see you when you need not when they wish!!

    Where I live my gp always tries to make appointments 2 weeks off unless YOU need to see them earlier .

    Hope your recovery keeps moving along !!!

              David 

    • jools2512
      jools2512 Dav1953

      Posted

      Thanks David, needless to say, whilst the few GP's I have seen have been good, the actual practice has rated the worst in the entire county recently. One of the major complaints has been ease of access, which says it all. I hadn't really thought of changing, as ordinarily we never see them, Hopefully I will go back to not needing to see them sometime soon

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