URGENT advice needed - full weight bearing

[danjj]

Hey guys
I had my THR around 6 weeks ago and need some advice on what to do now. I have to start work tomorrow but i havent met with my doctor yet to start full weight bearing. Crutches is not an opton im afraid and my appointment with my doctor is not until a week after im due to start.

Can anyone give me any advice on how to start walking?
Thanks

 

[Josephine]

I take it this means you have had an uncemented prosthesis? If your surgeon has required non-weight bearing for 6 weeks, you still need more time to get back into weight bearing under the supervision of a Physiotherapist. The reason your appointment is one week later is for him to review you. You then need some sessions with the physios, which your surgeon will organise, before you can return to work.

You should not start back to work until you've had a clearance from your surgeon. That's the Health and Safety requirement. Your employer would be deficient in care to allow you back until it's been declared you are safe to return. If you had an accident, he would be liable.

I suggest you phone the surgeon's secretary or your GP and get my advice confirmed before you attempt to start back at work.





By the way, which hospital were you treated at? (that's just me being incorrigibly nosy!)

 

[Texas]

Im a knee Dan but Ii wish you the best of luck listen to Jo shes the best and knows her stuff.......Good Luck yo you.............)

 

[danjj]

Ok thanks,
Yeh it was uncemented - the only reason i ask is that while at work
i wont be doing any physical stuff, im undergoing a training course first there so ill just be sitting down and maybe moving from place to place sort of like a school, is that still not allowed?

And just to confirm so im not going to be able to walk before i see the doc? I mean everything else is fine - pain wise etc i just want to start walking so i can attend these classes

And it was kings hospital

 

[Josephine]

You have a sickness certificate issued by a doctor. You are not allowed to return to work until you have the final certificate from him saying you are fit to return to work. Course or no, your employer will be remiss to allow you to return without that final certificate. I was a manager in the NHS for many years and was not allowed to have staff back even after a mild illness unless they had a final certificate. It's for you own safety too, don't forget. You don't want to put this wonderful new hip at risk. I would also suggest that you need more than 6 weeks off work after a THR anyway. At least another 2-4 weeks.

Anyway, the non-weight bearing is about letting the bone grow into the prosthesis. You need your surgeon's clearance before you start weight bearing. And do ring your doctor to check as well if you wish.