Hi all I work as a carer for the elderly in a residential home. I am getting calls from my boss as to when I can go back ? think my clients are fitter than me I had LTHR on 24 Nov 09 so am about 11 wks post op. No-one will say just that it's up to me when I go back. Not much help. I do 6 hour shifts, on feet all the time with 15 mins break. In the time I am there I have to do medication, giving to clients, then we assist to use toilets, getting dressed which means getting to their feet. Can't even put my own socks on yet

Then we assist with bathing and dressing again, then foot care, i.e. washing and creaming, which means on knees as they can't lift legs and would not expect them to. Then toileting again which also means lifting using the hoist and even that means using hips to get to move it. After that more moving and handling to get up for dinner, then back to seats after more running around to ensure all ok, got drinks, etc. There are bits of other things to do but added enough of my work life to bore you! Also I am worried that if one falls I may end up on floor with them.

I think my manager sees me as ok with just limp as I was in a great deal of pain at work before. I think she thinks I am making out to sound worse than I am. She making me feel guilty about time off as I have been off since Aug 09. Clients started to offer me their Zimmer frames - I knew was time to stop but now don't know when to go back. Sorry, long winded but need some advice from people like myself who had these ops. many thanks xx

Tinks, I hope you won't be offended but I edited your post to add punctuation and paragraphs. A solid block of text without any of that is awfully difficult to make sense of. Are you using a Blackberry or something? I know they can be awkward like that.

As regards your job, I know too well what working in elderly care is like - done a fair bit of it in my time! What I have done with my staff and what I do now as an occupational health nurse, is to have staff return on a phased schedule as you can find here Phased return to work after surgery. And don't let your manager bully you just because she thinks that now you've had your surgery all is normal again. You have the added complication of the back pain which you need to discuss with your GP. It's possible you might need a few more weeks off because of that. Please don't get pushed into going back too soon.

Is your place of work an NHS or council establishment? If so, you could request a referring to the OH department.

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Left arthroscopic menisectomy 4th October 09
RTKR 17th March 09
Right arthroscopy June 06

Please post in forums; PMs and emails for personalized help are not community oriented and will not be answered. Also search the Library and other threads for information. Thanks.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Administrator is an orthopaedic nurse of 50+ years experience in joint replacement.

I returned to work as a midwife on a busy Labour Ward 12 weeks after my hip replacement.
I did go back as phased return but after three weeks I was managing eight hour shifts with no problem.
Going on my knees to listen to babies hearts for waterbirths was not a problem, I could get up by using my good leg first but now I can get up with either leg first. I am still trying to be careful.
Can do all nursing care, I know my patients are not elderly but some have epidurals/spinals so are not really mobile.
I had my hip replacement on 4th October and it has really made it easier to work as I don't limp and I don't hurt.

My work doesn't compare in physical strenuousness, but I went back to teaching full time at 5 weeks post op--still had my cane! Lots of stairs and standing, walking, pacing, being "on"the whole day, and working in my office. I drop chalk and keys and papers, and I've mastered the golf reach to pick them up. Each day gets easier, and without pain, I'm amazed at the energy I now have! Maybe you can have a co-worker assist you in the early weeks for the difficult lifting, moving, and awkward positions?
Let us know what happens, okay?
Patrikya

Knowing what I know of residential homes in the UK, it's highly unlikely she'll be able to expect anything of that kind, Patrikya. Nice thought though!

__________________
Left arthroscopic menisectomy 4th October 09
RTKR 17th March 09
Right arthroscopy June 06

Please post in forums; PMs and emails for personalized help are not community oriented and will not be answered. Also search the Library and other threads for information. Thanks.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Administrator is an orthopaedic nurse of 50+ years experience in joint replacement.

Hiya tinks.
My job entails a lot of physical work, lifting, bending ,carrying; all things physical basically, and at 4 weeks I have started to get pestered by insurance companies, my government employment insurance, and I have decided that they can all wait til I am ready.I have worked over 40 years, never taking much sick time or collecting any kind of employment insurance.My work as a carpenter /contractor has been hard on my body, such is the nature of the business,and its starting to show I guess, my point being, I am going to take care of what is left of my body, and will go back to work when my body says its time.Stick to your own timetable, and do as you feel you can!I did try playing with my hobby of making a neon sign, but it was a disaster, and I paid for it by hurting for 2 days.

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Keith /LTHR all shiny and new!!!