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Sick Leave

Posted , 16 users are following.

lorene30860
lorene30860

I had my TKR just over 5 weeks ago and have been on leave since then. There was a 2 week section in the middle when I was on "holidays" but nonetheless I have not returned to work since the operation. I have to say that I still at this stage feel totally incapable of working at my job - at a computer - I am always feeling the need to change positions ie from up to down, and from down to up, which I cannot do once I return to work. Also, by the time I complete the required exercising, walking, icing, physio appointments and dr appointments, the day is practically taken care of.

I'm wondering how long people in my situation have had off work. I saw one post some time ago where the patient said they'd had 12 weeks off but I'm wondering if I should be moving back to work yet or am I pushing it?

1 like, 60 replies

60 Replies

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  • julia63030
    julia63030 lorene30860

    Posted

    Hey, I had 21 weeks off sick from work. I've been back 14 weeks and it's still hard going. I have a very manual job that requires a lot of standing and bending.

    At 5 weeks I couldn't even lift my leg on its own that took lots of time then I had to have a manipulation at 10 wks. It's been hard going and I was so unprepared for it all. They made it sound like id be up and going near enough straight away! I was so emotional for weeks. Worst thing is no one got it.... They didn't understand.

    My bend has stopped at 107 now and I can't get it past this. I've resigned myself to its limits. The pain of my knee has almost subsided. I just get a different ache down the outside of my calf now. A lot better than it was before.

    Being only 35 and quite young to have this done I thought I'd progress quite quickly. It's a waiting game and it drives you mad. My advice is, only do what you can. Don't push yourself too much it becomes overwhelming. Listen to your leg, it'll tell you when it's ready.

    Wishing you speedy recovery

    • donna4434
      donna4434 julia63030

      Posted

      Totally agree with you Julia. While your job sounds very physically demanding you have to progress at your own pace. Certainly I think mostof us set unreasonable expectations for recovery whether we "knew someone" who'd had the surgery and seemed to recover in a miraculous fashion or we thought...hey I'm young enough this should be a piece of cake...turned out we were wrong. A bit of good news though this weekend. ? After 5+ weeks I can finally (FINALLY) move my foot up ...about 2 inches... houston we have lift off. I am so stupidly excited.

  • Peglegbev
    Peglegbev lorene30860

    Posted

    Nooooo stay off as long as you can afford ! I went back at 11 weeks and went to bed pretty much as soon as I'd had my tea cooked by husband.

    It really depends on your job I office bound so have to get up every hour for a walk and stretch and coffee and chat but sitting helps with the bend and then stretch my leg by putting it on the desk - ok getting it up but a bugger getting it off

    You'll know when you are ready but go to your doctor first

    • lorene30860
      lorene30860 Peglegbev

      Posted

      Thanks, I go back to my specialist tomorrow and I'm intending to ask for another month. I know I'm simply not ready and over the past week have tried to do a bit more and realise now how un-ready (if there is such a word) I am to return to work. 
    • kathryn42410
      kathryn42410 lorene30860

      Posted

      I think you're right to ask for more time. You will know when you're ready. It's not just the physical side, it's mentally too. When you go back to work everyone will expect you to be firing on all cylinders. I think it's really important to also have a phased return when you do go back. Even if it's just the first week that you have shorter days, it will help to ease you back in and to remind your colleagues that you're still mending.
  • lorene30860
    lorene30860

    Posted

    To those I haven't personally commented - thank you one and all. I feel supported via this medium whereas I have to say the medical profession has left me feeling alone and afraid! Thank you so much. 
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