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Returning to work

Posted , 15 users are following.

sue37592
sue37592

I am 6weeks post op and was wondering how long people stay off work for, I am a teaching assistant with 5year olds so on my feet all day either in classroom or playground or dinner hall. My teacher said she thought i would be back by 6 weeks but I have not had my review appt yet so told her it would be another couple of weeks at least. I know physically I could not stand all day, my leg still gets stiff uncomfortable as day goes on and i am still really tired due to not sleeping well. Know everyone recovers at different rates but just looking any other opinions/ advice. Thank you xsmile

1 like, 82 replies

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  • therese25587
    therese25587 sue37592

    Posted

    Hi Sue 

    I was home from work for 3 months after my op and went back in on phased return and i am admin work which means sitting at a desk.  If i had to go back to a classroom full of 5 year olds i would have taken a year off, i have 3 grandsons 6,5 and 20 months and i spend all my time avoiding missiles and running around like a headless chicken after them.  Take your time going back and speak with your consultant.

    Therese

    • sue37592
      sue37592 therese25587

      Posted

      Thank you Therese, Idread going back  as it will be full on, going speak to consulant next week. I want the best outcome and 5 year olds may not help. Thank you x
    • Damy
      Damy sue37592

      Posted

      I take it that u r in the uk. It's amusing to me how alike we all are, re: dvd, takeout Chinese and comfy sofa. I naively think that we're so different.

      Btw, I am from the states, Boston area.

      i have noticed , of cours, that we have different expressions. I love all URS fro the uk and get a kick out of them😍

    • sue37592
      sue37592 Damy

      Posted

      I am in UK, and am so glad I found this site, everyone is so helpful and has kept me going,

      Just am so tired at the moment but will get there. Thank you for your lovely words.

      xx

    • Damy
      Damy sue37592

      Posted

      I understand . Just listen to what ur body is telling you. Tired, means you I need to rest. How many weeks post op  r u? I forgot. I'm 5 months and still have issues, but it does get better. I only hope that in a years time I will be saying that I'm glad I had it done😃😱😚😜
    • sue37592
      sue37592 Damy

      Posted

      I'm 6 weeks, but finding it harder to sleep as where it is healing at top of shin is quite uncomfortable. I see consultant next week.

      I can say i am glad i have had it done even at this stage as i was in an awful lot pain before and know i am healing. I have been really lazy today, prepared dinner nd then done not a lot else !!! xx

    • Damy
      Damy sue37592

      Posted

      Being lazy is called taking care of URSELF! Ur not lazy, u r tired, as u have said. I started preparing dinner at that point and I can tell u, it was about all I could do.

      even though I just turned 72 last week, I have always been very active. Not particularly athletic , but keep busy, do a lot. One thing I have always known is that if I do not take care of me and determine what I can and cannot do, know one else will. I've said it before on here, u r ur own best advocate.

      please take care and do not feel guilty when u r limited. I know this is easier said than done. We as women are caretakers. Having someone take care of us is not something most of us r used to. I gave in and let anyone who wanted to cook, clean, do errands , etc. do it for me. It actually started to feel good. I felt like I was on a vacation with nothing required of me, other than my exercises, icing, hydrating and elevating. Oh, and of course keeping myself properly medicated those first weeks.

      take good care and keep us posted. We r here for you🤗❗️

  • Damy
    Damy sue37592

    Posted

    forgot to say, when I couldn't sleep, I elevated the leg on a few very high pillows. That seemed to do the trick for me. 
    • sue37592
      sue37592 Damy

      Posted

      I will try that tonight, thank you Damy for you advice and kind words. They really help , x
  • pam92068
    pam92068 sue37592

    Posted

    Sue,  I am 12 weeks po, 55 and there is no way I could do a full day on my feet right now.  I did 8 hours on my feet at 10 1/2 weeks..I vacuumed, mopped, then went and bought flowers and planted my porch pots.  I know now if I had done either inside or out I would be good..but this was too much.  That night the bottom of my foot hurt so bad I could barely walk. I was walking unaided in house at 6 weeks.  I walk, ride my bike and do stretches everyday.  I thought I would return to work by now but I am waiting a few more weeks.  Listen to your body....it will let you know when you are ready.  Try being on you feet more at home before you throw a bunch of kids in the mix.x

    😄  Pam

     

    • sue37592
      sue37592 pam92068

      Posted

      Hi Pam, thank you, I am not using crutches in the house either, but take one when going out as just not as stable when walking a bit. I too am using bike and walk and other exercises physio gave me, but get so tired, def will have to wait a while. not ready for kids yet, i have come to that conclusion. At the moment just want curl up and sleep, think i have overdone it a bit today, thank you, its only 21:15 and bed is calling x
    • debbie171066
      debbie171066 pam92068

      Posted

      Hi pam as you are at the same stage as me and near to my age can i ask you how your walking technique is? Im really stil waddling like a duck! Not to bad with crutch as its so much easier to perfect my technique but when i walk unaided im stil bad! I try really hard but feel very frustrated! Im doing my exercises and bending and using my peddler machine! Help! Any pointers? Thanks in advance!
    • sueisobel
      sueisobel debbie171066

      Posted

      Try putting one foot directly in front of the other, as you bring your foot forward (swinging your hips as opposed to turning them), as your heel touches the ground, roll onto your toes. That way you avoid putting your foot "flat" on the ground and waddling.  You will also improve your calf muscles
    • sue37592
      sue37592 debbie171066

      Posted

      Hi Debbie, this is sue, I'm 50 and had similar problem someone on a post said think about how walk and i found it helped me you goheel, ball of foot , toes and your walking will improve. When i go out walking i do that and can see a difference. hope it helps x
    • debbie171066
      debbie171066 sueisobel

      Posted

      Aw thanks i wil practise! Its not an easy thing to describe is walking! One of those things we normaly take for granted! Practise practise!
    • debbie171066
      debbie171066 sue37592

      Posted

      Thanks a lot sue im glad you say you did struggle but are now good. I am concentrating when i walk but really need to keep talking myself through each step! Haha! What am i like! Thanks for your help!
    • pam92068
      pam92068 debbie171066

      Posted

      Debbie,

      I am fortunate to say my walking has been good.  I have been walking unaided since somewhere between 7-8 weeks.  I used a walker for 1 week and then pt had me go to cane.  At 4 weeks I started walking outside...and had to use walker as road here is uneven pavement, but went to cane after a bit.  I know from the beginning I was very conscience of how I walked....heel toe....I watched this and told myself over and over....heel toe.

      debbie what is your rom???  Is your bend good?  I luckily had straight at 1 month and was 130 bend at 10 weeks.  

      Pam

    • debbie171066
      debbie171066 pam92068

      Posted

      Wow you have done fantastic! I shouldnt of asked although i know we are all different.

      My bend is only just 90!!! I have worked on it constantly and my other leg hasnt got a great rom either due to artharitas! Im doing loads of lunges etc to improve bend! I am trying! Thanks for your comment and support! I appreciate it!

    • sue37592
      sue37592 pam92068

      Posted

      Wow 130 bend that is brilliant, i can only get 98 but will be continuing working on it, not 100% straight either, but will get there,
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 pam92068

      Posted

      Very smart.....continue to talk yourself through each step. If you don't do it at first, you will be back to doing it at some point as you heal.
    • pam92068
      pam92068 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      OFG,  I can actually walk now without thinking about it.  since my nerves started waking up....I am having issues coming down the steps foot over foot.  I am practicing that everyday....I will get there.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 pam92068

      Posted

      That may take quit some time. Its always been the last thing for me after every rehab and I expect it this time. Dr. Told me I would be 2 yrs before getting maximal strength this time around so I'm guessing 2.5 to 3 to walk steps properly.
    • pam92068
      pam92068 debbie171066

      Posted

      Stop beating yourself up.  You will be able to walk better when your bend is better.  Just keep doing what your are doing...you will get there.  Make sure you rest also...very important.  You have to rest to heal.  My best muscle exercises were with the rubber band thing from my physio,  I attached it to the step post....I do those exercises 2 X a day still....tighten the thing muscle and foot forward.....tighten thigh muscle and foot back with band at ankle.  Then same and out to the side.  He had me start with 5 of each 2 X a day at 5 weeks po.  Now I do 25 per set and 2 sets a day.  The other is the squats....very good for thigh muscles.

      i talk about the muscle exercises....I know that is how I got my bend.

       

    • pam92068
      pam92068 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Saw surgeon and he says my thigh muscle is a little angry.  Not sure why.  He says I am right where he expects as far as muscle and nerve healing.  Thing muscle is last one to heal completely.  He says it will just take time....healing is the issue now....I can't make it happen any faster.  I go back in 5 more weeks.

      pam

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