Im 54 was very active right up until my right hip replacement one week ago.

Hi James,

Well, you are doing extremely well so early on.  I guess you should really take advice from your healthcare professionals.  I couldn't possibly have gone back to work so soon but you may be different.  I think it depends on a number of factors; the type of procedure, anterior, posterior, etc.  Also depends on how quickly you feel able to do certain movements, tiredness etc etc.  

Best of luck,

Jo x

I personally would give it another week or two to make that decision. I felt I could do a great deal before I started back into 'normal' life, it is the small things that catch you out, toilet seat heights, exhaustion after a long day. I am 40 years old, so quite a bit younger than you and feeling very tired is part of the journey. It is in fact very demanding in terms of energy and you need to give your body time to repair properly. You may risk your recovery doing too much too soon..

I would want to be off my crutches and walking without a limp, off the meds completely, sleeping all night or at least most of it before I went back to a nursing job, that is just me...and you may be ready sooner than eight weeks...but personally I would hold fire and just get yourself completely fixed.

 

Pardon! Did i read correctly? Did you say "one week"?!

Are you from the UK?

At one week post op i was still on crutches and struggling. I am now eight weeks post op and can drive and walk but still have a long way to go.

Be careful before driving. You may find that without medical consent, your insurance could be invalid.

Are you sure you had a total hip replacement?

Sorry it just all sounds quite incredible .

But hey, we all heal at different rates!

Good luck but please be careful.

Morrie

Take your cane and go to work, maybe you can start out part-time..Make sure when you are sitting to elevate your leg or your knee and ankle will really swell up...Happened to me because I was doing to much to soon.

Believe me I get the deisre to return to work, I am in that position myself. My advice is take your time before going back. Increase your activity around the house and see how that goes. In the end each of us is different and recovers at different rates.

 

Take advice from yourconsultant, that sounds extremely fast.  Did you have anterior surgery?  No way could I have driven or gone back that early. I am scheduled to go back 12 weeks after surgery.  

The main worry with posterior surgery is the dislocation risk (see my website recovery page for a graph) following the cutting of the membrane around the joint, but mine was cut twice, 10 weeks apart, so may need more healing.

Graham - 🚀💃

Um, I can understand you wanting to go back to work. And I can understand that this would be urgent if you are not getting full pay while off sick. But I thnk the only person who can give you an informed opinion is the surgeon. She/he will be able to assess you and give an objective view. 

Depending on whether it is relevant (what area of nursing you are in) or not: What would you, as a nurse, say to a patient asking these questions?

well, hello James -

warm welcome to the hippies forum !!!

I am with Joycy here -- what procedure did you have ? 

and with others: - what does your surgeon say

Big warm hug

renee

 

I would check with my surgeon and take his advice. I have never heard of anyone recovering this quickly! The fact remains that tissues take a certain amount of time to heal, and your bones, muscles and skin have to do the same amount of healing as everyone else. You could have setbacks at any time. I certainly hope that doesn't happen and that you continue to do so well!

Well, at two weeks post op all I can say is I am gobsmacked!  Personally I think you would be crazy to return to work and risk a setback later, but what do I know.  You know how you feel but there was a post on here a couple of days ago from someone who was doing really well, bent forward a little too much and out popped his hip and he now is wearing a brace.

Take care, Cels x

Like previous posters, I would give it another week to improve healing. The workplace, as you know, is a little different than home.  Always some curveball - wet floor, crap lying about, etc, that you will have te to negotiate. But, I'd start w/ half days and see how it goes from there. You know your body and what it can tolerate. Best of luck and congratulations on your progress.