Return from Vacation

[RDUczyJr]

My TKR was April 29th and I went on vacation last week. I was a bit discouraged as my ability to walk around as I once did.....did not happen. I did ice everyday as I took an ice bag along and also used a cane as necessary. When I returned to PT yesterday the PT told me my knee had swollen up since my last visit. I also experienced a very strange thing where I can be walking and when I take a step it feels like my knee is going to collapse. It bends to the point I almost fall. The PT says the swelling is effecting my ligaments. They put me in a new machine called Game Ready..it's a cuff which tightens up like a blood pressure cuff as ice water runs through the cuff. I'm hoping this will bring the swelling down. My job is also putting stress on me as they want to send me for an independent medical exam. I find it very strange since I want to come back to work and not the opposite. Maybe I'm trying too hard...the Dr told me I would need at least six months from the date of surgery to return to my type of job.

 

[Josephine]

Another of my skills is as an occupational health nurse. I very often get asked by companies to see employees who have had major surgery and/or protracted time off work to review their fitness to return.

I not only assess their fitness but also, bearing in mind the nature of their job, make recommendations where the return might be facilitated by a staged return - starting short days and increasing them over a period of 3-6 weeks, for instance. Also suggestions for adjustments to the work place. Worry not - it's a routine that is much in your favour.

 

[RDUczyJr]

Is it unreasonable to return...I am in law enforcement for the past 31 years. I can't get a desk job and I must return to street patrol.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

RDU -
Yikes - 6 months - holy cow! Thank goodness I am a teacher and a special education teacher who works with kiddos who struggle in reading, writing and math. I guess I would have been in the same boat had I had my old teaching job - emotionally disturbed little ones. I had my surgery 7/14 and school starts 8/13 for staff and 8/18 for kiddos. My OS would have written me out for 4 additional weeks if I thought I couldn't do it, but I think I will manage ok. I just hope I don't fall asleep behind my desk at lunch!

My PT spent a good amount of time talking to me about the ligaments. My lateral colateral ligament (???) is much shorter than the medial collateral ligament due to the knock-kneed issues I had from the knee issues. He was pretty blunt that it will hurt as it stretches back to where it should be. I worry about things giving out - but I will tackle that if that happens. Keep working with the PT and if you figure out a way to decrease your swelling please let me know - I am very swollen and we are working through it!! Lots and lots of ice!

Sorry I couldn't have been of more help - I wish there was a way for you to get back to work sooner - I think it will be good for me to go back as I think it would be good for you as well. UGHHH

Marianne

 

[Doug]

RDU,
I'm a retired cop.
I had my knee replaced in January. At this point, if I was still on the job, I wouldn't hesitate a bit to return to the street. My knee continues to improve but then, I continue to work it hard. The swelling is minimal if any now.
See if your commander can respect your seniority and put you in a zone that is a little "quieter"...Don't need to be doing any "nightstick therapy" with bad boyz at your point in recovery..