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Construction work and going back to it...

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new yorker

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Hello all, I am in construction now and I was wondering is it time for a career change after surgery or should I be able to go back to it? Have any of you gone back to construction if that is what you did for a living. :sct:
 
I would say get out of construction.

What I did ,was become a brain scientist,,or was it a rocket surgeon?

Awww ,heck,,I became a bum,,and wow have I shined at that,,lol

Just joking,,but I do think the construction trades are tough on knees and hips and all. That's a young persons gig!

And I was not meaning you are old,,,lol,,peace,
 
Another of my jobs is occupational health in businesses and factories. One of my responsibilities is to clear people back to work after prolonged sickness absences. I worked in firms that manufacture heavy plant machinery and trucks, etc. That involves a fair bit of climbing gantries and manipulating heavy stuff. I've had to review employees returning after TKRs and THRs.

Things I checked were walking, balance, co-ordination and stamina. I usually got them a phased return to work over 4 weeks with light duties for 6 weeks and kept an eye on their progress. But to be honest, I never saw one had a real problem. Oh, and most of them were in their 50s and 60s! But that you can look at two ways - they were looking forward to retirement in 5-15 years whilst you have your life ahead of you. Perhaps that might take some thought as an industry like that is going to be heavy on your new hip and could end up getting you a revision sooner rather than later!
 
Hey new Yorker how is the construction business there...my husband worked for Highland Homes for 12 yes and was laid off.......Nothing going on her just laying off i was just wondering was anyone else picking up...........you do have your whole life maybe time some time and think .......my husband loves construction but its always so up and down just scares me...just wondering good luck to you............)....
 
I've been a plasterer for 35 years.

I would say it depends on the type of work you do and how you approach it. If you were in a high production / low quality situation, its going to be hard for you to get your track shoes back on and keep up with the young wipper-snappers. But if you are a craftsmen and/or self employed where you don't have to "run" to make your living, I would say there is absolutely no reason in the world you couldn't go back to your trade.

I am able to stand on my feet, bend over when needed and walk scaffolding with my new hip. So far (10 months out). I've had no issues actually performing the craft but have refrained from the heavy, heavy laboring, I don't carry the heavy stuff (100lbs +) very far or up any ladders; this has been precautionary on my part and hasn't seemed to bother anyone.
 
Hey new Yorker how is the construction business there...my husband worked for Highland Homes for 12 yes and was laid off.......Nothing going on her just laying off i was just wondering was anyone else picking up...........you do have your whole life maybe time some time and think .......my husband loves construction but its always so up and down just scares me...just wondering good luck to you............)....


In construction here it is always come and go, real real busy for awhile and then slow for awhile longer, winter s**ks here too. I will have alot of time off after surgery to think about something new, I guess time will tell:pzld::pzld:
 
Good luck fellow New Yorker! Get it done and then you'll decide!!:wink:
 
I've been a plasterer for 35 years.

I would say it depends on the type of work you do and how you approach it. If you were in a high production / low quality situation, its going to be hard for you to get your track shoes back on and keep up with the young wipper-snappers. But if you are a craftsmen and/or self employed where you don't have to "run" to make your living, I would say there is absolutely no reason in the world you couldn't go back to your trade.

I am able to stand on my feet, bend over when needed and walk scaffolding with my new hip. So far (10 months out). I've had no issues actually performing the craft but have refrained from the heavy, heavy laboring, I don't carry the heavy stuff (100lbs +) very far or up any ladders; this has been precautionary on my part and hasn't seemed to bother anyone.


Hi mudpro, How soon after surgery did you start using a ladder again? How soon did you return to work and last but not least how do you feel after work? I am in pretty good shape so I assume recovery will not be to long I hope.
 
Hi mudpro, How soon after surgery did you start using a ladder again? How soon did you return to work and last but not least how do you feel after work? I am in pretty good shape so I assume recovery will not be to long I hope.

Well the first thing learned from this forum is that everyone's recovery is a little different...

I went back to work a few days a week starting around 9 or 10 weeks and was full time by 16 weeks. Ladders took a little longer, maybe 5 or 6 months before I stopped "thinking" about them and just went up in normal stride. There was a balance issue (scaffolding) at first that I had to over come, a fear of falling and or tripping. I am still working on.

I used ice as soon as i got home for the first several weeks and was achey but not in anywhere near the pain I was pre-surgery. Now I feel almost completely normal and haven't needed pain meds or ice for many months.
 
Hi New Yorker, I also work construction,and roughly the same age and location as you,39 New England.I do know a guy much older than I, who had a thr last year,and was back to work in no time.Although he doesn't get involved in the real labor intensive stuff anymore, it is remarkable and says he couldn't be happier with his new hip.A return to construction is possible,I see proof everyday.Best wishes-Paul
 
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