How long off work?
Posted , 4 users are following.
i am an ICU nurse and had left insertional tendinitis a few years back. Healed up when I took time out to travel and wasn't working full time. A few months ago my right Achilles started getting sore. Had USS and it showed I have bilateral archilles tendinitis. Was seeing a physio and having treatment and taking strong painkillers to get thru a shift. A few months ago I injured left Achilles at work. The physio was helping. Well.....a week ago I tripped at work and tore my right Achilles! I have a full thickness tear. Was in back slab for week and then to ortho clinic and now have cast on right foot. Go back in 3 weeks for further cast where toes won't be so pointed. I found using crutches extremely painful on my 'good' foot! So hired a wheelchair. This is a huge help. My question is ...how long am i looking at being out of work for? This is a work place injury so I am covered for loss of wages and any treatment required. I have been advised that I can see a surgeon privately and it will be covered. In view of my previous tendinitis and spurs maybe seeing a surgeon privately would be a good idea. Any advice? So to sum up...I have a partial thickness tear to left Achilles and my recent injury is full thickness tear to right Achilles.
0 likes, 4 replies
dee525 Buffy61
Posted
So sorry for your injuries. Going back to work is a tricky thing and one thing I have learned about this injury - everyone heals differently. I also had insertional achilles tendonistis and torn the achilles off the bone. I choose the surgery option - really didnt have a choice. I went back to a desk job at 3.5 weeks and did ok but most folks dont
return for months. If I could do it over I would stay off for a longer period. I used a knee scooter instead of crutches - the crutches were too unstable for me. I hate that your having trouble with both achilles - Good luck and speedy recovery.
Sks1982 Buffy61
Posted
Sorry to hear about your rupture.
I done my one full rupture left Achilles in April 2016 so I know exactly what you are going through.
Re your questions:
Private- Yes I would absolutely go private as the care you receive is on a different level and you are seen more often too during your progress which for this type of injury is really important. I have read on here how some people have not had same amount of care as me (I went through private too)
In addition I would take the surgery option with them too as there is a much higher success rate and it reducing the risk of rerupture in the future compared to just being put in a backslab and hoping for the best. They will go through the risks depending on age etc but do your research literally googling re surgery or not.
Time off work- this is an injury you cannot rush. I was off work for 4 months and then back on limited return. When I returned at 4 months I was still on one crutch so it really does take a lot of time.
The most simplest things like stepping off a curb or walking down stairs are challenging and need to be learnt again so it takes time.... remember it can rupture.
Are you in U.K.?
Buffy61 Sks1982
Posted
Thanks for your reply. I am in Australia. So far I am happy with care I have received in public health but workplace cover has suggested a couple of times that I can go private. I am going to call a private Orthopedic surgeon that specialises in feet injuries this morning. Will see what they suggest and how quickly I can get into them. I'm thinking a few months off work at least as I work in a busy ICU and spend a lot of time walking!
Davie_c Buffy61
Posted
Hi Buffy
I had non surgical treatment and I am returning to work at 13 weeks to a more office based lighter role than normal. I am an engineer who spends a lot of time on my feet which I'm sure is similar to you working as a nurse. Certainly wouldn't think it would be quicker than 3 months and more than likely closer to the 4 to 5 for a full returns to normal work.
Hope This helps.
All the best.