YoungHippy
member
8 Month Check in:
I had my visit with my surgeon yesterday, and he has released me for a year. I also have been okayed to go back to work, as long as my job does not require me to lift or carry over 20 pounds. That can be modified as we go along, he said he wanted me to have the chance to feel comfortable doing something before an employer tried to force me to do it. So I am out of luck on returning to CNA work right now, as there is really no such thing as a light duty CNA unless you get hurt on the job. I was a little broken hearted at that, but there is still plenty of time to work up to that.
We discussed my limp. I still have the Trendelenburg gait going on. We discussed me doing some more PT at this time, but since my insurance coverage has run out that is really not an option. He spoke with the on-site PT and gave me a couple of sheets of exercises to do at home, or anywhere basically. Clam shells, side leg lifts etc. He said not to push it just to try, and if and when I felt good about that to email him and he would set me up with more to do. He said at this point though walking is still the most important thing, walk and build stamina, and the limp would get less and less as time goes by. He said I may always have some degree of a limp, but he feels confident that it will be mild and not the lurch I currently have. He reminded me again that I am not the typical THR patient, this healing process could be several years, and just not to give up.
The release for a year is pretty much due to my insurance coverage. But he told me that if I had any issues to call and they would get me in, and that I would never be turned away for inability to pay as long as he is at this practice. I also have his personal email to keep in contact too. He said he is very interested to see how my case turns out both short term and long term.
So at this point, my plans are to start my new job on Monday and see how it goes and work on some higher education courses to be able to go back into the medical field.
I just want to tell everyone here thanks for all the advice and support. Even though I am not a regular poster I still read and take comfort from everyone's posts and successes. This site is a tremendous help for anyone going through this joint replacement journey.
I had my visit with my surgeon yesterday, and he has released me for a year. I also have been okayed to go back to work, as long as my job does not require me to lift or carry over 20 pounds. That can be modified as we go along, he said he wanted me to have the chance to feel comfortable doing something before an employer tried to force me to do it. So I am out of luck on returning to CNA work right now, as there is really no such thing as a light duty CNA unless you get hurt on the job. I was a little broken hearted at that, but there is still plenty of time to work up to that.
We discussed my limp. I still have the Trendelenburg gait going on. We discussed me doing some more PT at this time, but since my insurance coverage has run out that is really not an option. He spoke with the on-site PT and gave me a couple of sheets of exercises to do at home, or anywhere basically. Clam shells, side leg lifts etc. He said not to push it just to try, and if and when I felt good about that to email him and he would set me up with more to do. He said at this point though walking is still the most important thing, walk and build stamina, and the limp would get less and less as time goes by. He said I may always have some degree of a limp, but he feels confident that it will be mild and not the lurch I currently have. He reminded me again that I am not the typical THR patient, this healing process could be several years, and just not to give up.
The release for a year is pretty much due to my insurance coverage. But he told me that if I had any issues to call and they would get me in, and that I would never be turned away for inability to pay as long as he is at this practice. I also have his personal email to keep in contact too. He said he is very interested to see how my case turns out both short term and long term.
So at this point, my plans are to start my new job on Monday and see how it goes and work on some higher education courses to be able to go back into the medical field.
I just want to tell everyone here thanks for all the advice and support. Even though I am not a regular poster I still read and take comfort from everyone's posts and successes. This site is a tremendous help for anyone going through this joint replacement journey.