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Returning to work

Posted , 9 users are following.

Redmuir
Redmuir

I am two weeks post op posterior right hip replacement. I am now starting to cut back on pain meds. I can walk in the house without any assistance and outdoors with a cane. My concern is returning to work. I am a welder / pipefitter in the construction trades. I will need to be able to climb staging tall ladders walk up many flights of stairs and the biggest concern be crawling on my hands and knees under pipes and on top of them. In my trade they don't hire light duty help. Wondering if anyone has had the procedure and returned to this type of work. I have 41/2 years to retirement.

3 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • alipet
    alipet Redmuir

    Posted

    Hello Redmuir,

    I went back to full time work at 6 weeks. I have no experience of climbing ladders, but at 6 weeks i was still going up stairs one step at a time.Even now at 14 weeks I prefer to hold the bannister esp when coming down. 2 weeks post op is very early days. I would ask your surgeon or PT for advice about your job. Try not to worry too much about it right now, in a few more weeks you will feel much more normal.

    Good luck Ali xx

  • linda38528
    linda38528 Redmuir

    Posted

    No experience as a pipe fitter, but I am impressed with your progress so far. The climbing and crawling though are a different kettle of fish aren't they?

    You sound very fit but I don't feel optimistic about you getting back to your job for a while yet. Is there no possibility of working part-time for a bit?

    I sure wish you all the best. But man, you want to be able to enjoy retirement when you have earned it and everything I have heard or read re-enforces that pushing too hard too early has longterm consequences.

    Perhaps you will prove the rule wrong ...

    • Redmuir
      Redmuir linda38528

      Posted

      Hi Linda,

      No such thing in my trade as part time although I wish I could. They told me already it would be 12 to 16 weeks for work I just know what it takes to do my job and have discussed it with my surgeon before surgery not really getting a good answer. I don't think they really know how physical the pipe trades are. I see him again July 20 one month post op.

  • Loral
    Loral Redmuir

    Posted

    Talk to your surgeon and get him to schedule you some physical therapy, maybe they can concentrate on the muscles in the area that helps with crawling without dislocating the hip...Did you have Anterior approach?
    • Redmuir
      Redmuir Loral

      Posted

      Hi Lora,

      Thanks for your suggestions. I have seen pt lady six times. I'm doing status getting out of the chair on the good and operated hip. Also doing the one legged tip toe stands along with all the post op stretches they give you. I'm going to start resistance bands this week. I had posterior approach. It's going well and I do listen to my body.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Redmuir

    Posted

    hi redmuir, 

    I don't have anything to add to previous responses - your body still has some healing to do and needs time to do so - Muscles and tendons were severed and need to be repaired - 

    It is difficult for surgeons or anybody to tell you if you will be able to go back to your job - it depends on so many things - 

    Take it one day, one step at a time for now, Red ... allow your body to heal -

    You sound great and seem to be doing really well !

    keep listening to your body 

    big warm hug

    renee

  • belleAUSSydney
    belleAUSSydney Redmuir

    Posted

    Is your PT preparing exercises that will get you ready for climbin gand crawling? I am around 7 MONTHS, not weeks, post-op. In the past month, I've done jobs involving a lot of squatting and standing; in the past week a mix of sitting and standing. I come home every day in pain and head for the hot bath. Today, I did 11 1/2 hours and I didn't think I'd be up for work tomorrow, but after my bath I am sure I can go in. Thought I was done with the temp work, but they called me an hour ago and asked me to work Sunday, next week and during the next few weeks, too. I said yes, but know it's going to hurt...

    • renee01952
      renee01952 belleAUSSydney

      Posted

      hi belle,

      be careful, okay? ....and rest on your non-work days

      big warm hug

      Renee

    • belleAUSSydney
      belleAUSSydney renee01952

      Posted

      Haha. Did 6:30AM until 10PM today. It would have been later, but I called it at 10 and said "enough". My upper back was (still is) really sore from sitting in a bad chair all day. I am working again tomorrow and probably every day this week... maybe the next few, too...

    • belleAUSSydney
      belleAUSSydney

      Posted

      P.S. The leg held out. A few twinges, but I even managed to walk home after work in pretty decent time.
  • lors23
    lors23 Redmuir

    Posted

    Hi

    For that kind of work l would say 2 months at least off you might be able to do those things at home but work is totally diffrent. I had both hips replaced and do a desk job and was no where near ready to go back 6 weeks after. Although l could walk without aids and do basic stuff l could not sit at a desk for 7hrs.. l would say listen to your body it will tell you if its ready to go back but don't rush back anf cause more pain

    Laura

    • Redmuir
      Redmuir lors23

      Posted

      Lots,

      I've got a release date of Sept 17 about 12 weeks. I'm wondering if there's anyone in the kind of work I do that has been able to return to work and actually do the work. Only because there's no light duty work or part time work in my trade they just don't hire someone that is a liability now days in the construction industry. Thanks for the input I'm am taking it one day at a time.. regards red

    • renee01952
      renee01952 Redmuir

      Posted

      Hi Red,

      That is a very physical demanding job for anybody - 

      I know that you are so close to retirement and that makes it so difficult to think about changing careers, doesn'it --- but what if ???  

      Can you go on disability ?  

      Big warm hug to both of you --- 

      renee

  • dominic22930
    dominic22930 Redmuir

    Posted

    I am awaiting to have a hip replacement myself and work in welding/ engineering talking to my consultant about it he didnt seem very optimistic for me returning back to my normal job😞 not as bad for me being only 29.
  • rose0000
    rose0000 Redmuir

    Posted

    I have to be completely honest, I think you are looking at six months rather than six weeks. I would be able to climb a ladder carefully now, but not before, and the risk to your hip in the early months will be substantial, as your balance is affected whilst your body gets used to the new joint. The risk of falling is actually greatly increased.

    I know this must be a great worry for you, but I would start looking into options now - I am sure any dr in the land would confidently sign you off, but a conversation needs to take place to find out what can be done for you, at least if you know now you can make plans. All the best. 

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