about work

[mdakota]

ok, so what i need to know is, has anyone had to change jobs after hip replacement. i'm a nurse (dialysis) it is 99% on my feet. we started chairside charting in the last year so the few breaks we did have for paperwork is now done standing too.. i take care of 3 shifts of 10 patients so when we have turn over taking one person off the machine and putting the other on it can last for a solid 2-3 hours. then another giving meds quick lunch then back to turnover. we monitor patients every 30 minutes if not more, i do alot of twisting and bending and lifting. i just wonder what are the chances that this is really the job i need to stay in. right now it is really tough. the constant menuvering around chairs is what really gets me. i dont have the option to do light duty when i go back so i will have to be out till i'm healed. but i dont want to mess up all the work they do, i 've always believed the only reason i'm still going is that i've had jobs that were on my feet and my muscles have stayed strong but this is different and i need opinions.

 

[PRGal]

Oh dakota, I'm not sure you'll be able to decide this ahead of time. So much depends on your own personal recovery, history, etc. . . . You may just have to wait until you go back and see how it goes.

I have a "desk" job (not to mention quite a few years on you age-wise ), and I've found that how I feel varies week to week. Ironically, many times I seem to feel more tired & have weird twinges during the week when I've been sitting a lot, than on weekends, when I've been housecleaning, grocery-shopping, gardening, babysitting my granddaughter, etc. Once you've gained back your strength & mobility, you may discover that being on your feet so many hours is not a challenge at all.

So as a practical "elder," my advice would be to perhaps see if there are alternative nursing positions you might transition to, but wait and see until afterwards before making any decisions.

 

[Peta]

I agree with PR Dakota - that decision is probably one you will need to make once you have recovered somewhat.

I stand all day - up to 7 hours - in my job, and I can tell you that since my THR I am able to do that with no problems whatsover! Unlike beforehand where I had to push myself to put up with the pain and grit my teeth to get through the day!

However, apart from lifting the occasional heavy box, I don't do a lot of twisting and bending etc. So I can't comment on that bit.

 

[mdakota]

thank you. i wondered about the posterior incision and sitting

 

[Peta]

thank you. i wondered about the posterior incision and sitting

I never had any real problems with that - although even now if I sit for too long in one position I get a bit sore, but nothing that getting up and walking around won't knock on the head.

 

[Josephine]

Well, look at it this way - the whole objective of this surgery is to give you back your life totally and many people I know have done that and then some! One of the very first hip replacements that McKee did in the 50s was a steeplejack/roofer and he specialised in church roofs. One of his responsibilities was for the care of Norwich Cathedral spire and he went back to work after his THR!

I know he was perhaps a little extreme but need I say more?

Naturally you'll find it tiring and a little difficult at first but I'm sure in time you'll be just fine. Is it possible for you to negotiate a phased return to work for the first month? That would help a lot. My usual suggestion for workers in this country is something like ....

week 1: Tues, Thurs 10-3
week 2: Mon, Wed, Fri 10-4
week 3: Tues, Thurs full day
week 4: Mon, Wed, Fri full day
week 5: normal duties

 

[Texas]

Hi M. Just checking in to see how you are doing. I hope you are feeling ok. Have you decided on work yet, for now just relax and take it easy. With all you have been thru you might need the break, Have you thought about hypnosis anymore, I am waiting to see if it works, Take it easy , your in my prayers as well...........Kim PS how are your children doing?

 

[Troweltalk]

I know a couple of men who have returned to work in construction jobs after their THR. As others have said, you will need to see how you feel as you pass the 3 - 4 month mark before even being able to think about this type of decision. And remember, you will feel much better at 4 months than you do at 2, and I can say for myself anyway, I even feel better at 5 months than I did 4...

 

[mdakota]

yall are so right. i have listened and decided i'm just going to wait and see. i'm going to take the time off i need. my leaves are approved. i'm going to give myself a chance to heal and then i'm going to keep on taking it one day at a time. my right will be almost 6months old and the left 41/2. i respect and admire those that have gone back alot earlier, i dont think that is a good idea for me because of what i do the early recovery seems to factor in alot to the length of time the hip lasts and i'm too young to waste it. thank yall so much. i love this group. yall are so supportive and its nice to have people that care and know what your going thru.
monique