Working from home and hip replacement

I had a THR three weeks ago.  I wasn't of much value the first week, but by the beginning of week 2, I was able to work 2-3 hours per day.  By week 3 I was able to put in a full 8 hour day when necessary.  I have a laptop setup by my bed, as it's more comfortable to lie in bed than it is to sit in a chair.  My bed is adjustable, so putting the head of the bed up allows me to work while still lying down.

Hi. I had the op on the monday, other than i pad e mails, I did nothing for the first week and then was back working at my desk the following monday. I did ensure at that point that if I needed a rest I took it but otherwise was able to a normal working week and my recovery was superb. Good luck

I run a B&B with my sister so, to make myself rest, I went to my daughters for 5 weeks post op.

I'm so glad I did as I would have been tempted to do more than I should. I don't do the heavy stuff like cleaning etc, I do the paperwork side but going up and down stairs, showing guests to their rooms, preparing food etc would have been too much as I couldn't have been on my feet for that long. We have a 4 storey Victorian building so just the stairs are a challenge.

What I'm really saying is that it depends what kind of work you do from home. If it's sedentary you may be ok.

I said to a friend recently that if I had still been in my teaching job (full paid sick leave) I would still be off work - I'm 9 weeks post op. I still have a limp , can't put my weight on my bad leg and still use a stick when outdoors. You'll only get one chance for this to repair properly, don't blow it.

Make sure you rest often, don't get into the thing of 'I'll just do that, then I'll rest'. Set aside an hour or two to go to bed each afternoon - even if you don't sleep your body needs the rest to recover.

All the best and we're all here for you.

artha x

Thank you all for these replies. They are really encouraging and answer the next question I had. (Day 6 post THR)

Hi, I am 73 and do a part time job for my son and went back to work after 3 weeks on crutches, so it depends what sort of work you are doing. If it is mainly desk bound you will be fine.  Good luck hope all goes well.  Valerie

Hi Hippies I own 2 shops and I have deliberately kept away from them (now  4weeks post op) as I can't even think about standing for any length of time yet + the logics of not being able to drive.I just had to detach myself otherwise I would be driving myself mad with flustration - and probably my staff   They are traditional sweet shops we do gifts sweet trees etc. This is the area of work I have been able to do from home.  Don't know if it was because I had a general anaesthetic, but it took ages to be able to concentrate and get motivated. It's getting much easier and have loved making easter eggs. Just have to not over do it and as everyone says "Listen to your body" !  

Yes, it can be done, I run a B&B and was online right away from bed and able to conduct business. Did not have guests for 10 days, but afterward did. Had help, of course. But if doing business online, you should be able to do that and make calls. Good luck with your surgery and post-op. I am 6 weeks out, walking great, driving. Went to the beach and picked up shells with my grabber, even strung up a hammock, it was heavenly. I live in Costa RIca, so am pretty much back to normal, thank GOD.

I didn't stop working at all. I run. News website and was working on it in hospital the day after the op. I couldn't be out and about covering stories as I would normally, but thankfully found I'd built upnenough goodwill previously that others filled the gaps for me. 

The op is major surgery, but nowhere near as daunting as you think it will be beforehand. The pain is very manageable and your mobility improvements will surprise you. If you've set up and managed to run a business of your own, a THR will (almost literally) be like a walk in the park.

Hi

I was back to work fulltime in office 2 weeks post op. I took a small dose of long acting narcotic painkiller at night for another week but after that only ocasional antinflammatory ( nurofen etc)

I am sure it depends on your general fitness,your age, your overall weight and whether you get any complications(which is related to the other factors)

As I dont get paid if I am off and am a 52yr old  single parent, only breadwinner, with 5 dependents ( 2 still at primary school)I was motivated to keep fit & get back to work but I worried about nothing in the end- it wasnt difficult. I decided to take the attitude that at least I could get back using one leg if all else failed!

All the best

It depends what you are planning to do.  I am only 5 days post op and can get around my home, including stairs, with no great problem.

I am 65 and work from home as an administrative assistant and basically upkeep of a website, uploading radio programs, answering lots of daily emails, managing a database. I am having a THR (left) on Monday. This thread was very encouraging.

Lucky you to work from home but yeah l think the first couple of weeks will be hard going but if you build it up just doing a hour or 2 to start with to feel how your body reacts. You will know if you are doing to much as your body won't be long in telling you. My husband works from home and l envy him so much as l recover frim 2 hip replacements l would love to be doing some work to pass the time. But l would say go for it after giving your body a weeknor so to heal a bit.

Good Luck

Laura