Anyone out there with a physical job...how long did you stay off work??

[chris finn]

Its been just over 11 weeks since my operation...I think...(9th DEC 2010 ) All was going very well until about a week ago. I am getting constant pain in the hip...like an ache....it goes from a 3 up to an 8 or 9 on the pain scale. Ive not done anything new that I can think of and Im doing everything that the surgeon and physiotherapist have told me to do.

Also, I get very tired from what I consider a short walk...for example...I went to Costco with my wife the other day. We were there about 1 to 1.5 hours. I was exhausted afterwards and fell asleep when we got home.

Im an electrician by the way....lots of heavy carrying....bending, loftwork (attic?) etc

So is there anybody else out there with a physical job...and how long did you take off work. I was thinking of going back in about a week, but I really dont think Im ready.

[mickoc19]

I work in a busy warehouse and went back after 9 weeks.  I felt that I was ready to go back, I was able to walk a couple of miles each day with no pain, cycle on a stationary bike and lift some weights.  However if you are still in pain I would suggest you see your specialist or a doctor and don't go back until you are ready.  Any heavy lifting, bending or twisting will only make you much worse than you are now.

Mick - left hip sept 2010

[chris finn]

Cheers Mick,

Im seeing the doctor tomorrow. I just dont get it...Ive been walking good distances for a few weeks now, and weight training for 2 weeks without any problems...this just seems to have come from nowhere. Ive had various opinions from friends and family...ranging from "your not using the crutches now" to "its the weather" ...ah well I will see what the doc reckons

[hernanu]

Good luck, Chris.

[obxpelican]

Chris,

A lot of doctors have around a 50# limit for the first 3-6 months and no breaking the 90 degree rule for the first 6 weeks.   YMMV.


Chuck

[chris finn]

I was a good boy as far as the 90 degree rule.....but I didnt know about the other ....did you mean 50%....rule. Ive been lifting much more than that....both in the gym and around the house. That could be it I suppose...overdone it

[einreb]

Different docs have different protocols for lifting.  Its pretty common to limit weights like that until after your 6 month mark.

The hip bone/neck is actually at its weakest at 3 months.  It had its blood supply cut during surgery, and then supposedly gets stronger after 3 months as the supply reroutes itself, its at 90% strength at 6 months and 100% at a year.

The concern would be small fractures that either grow and get worse or it fails catastrophically.  :o

[obxpelican]

Yep, and if you get a femoral neck fracture I am sure it won't be anything you will want to remember.


Chuck

[jgenese]

Hey Chris,
I work on submarines. Lots of climbing, hauling heavy gear, tight spots, trip hazards and so on.
I had my left BHR Oct 22 and returned to work Jan 3. Went to PT twice a week during my time off and continued PT after I returned to work for the month of January.
Are you going for physical therapy?

[obxpelican]

Chris,

Most doctors do NOT recommend doing heavy weights 10 or 11 weeks post-op, yes, some have miracle recoveries and do well 3 months post-op but to me it's like spinning the cylinder on a revolver with one round in it and hoping you don't end up lining up a cartridge to the barrel.

What were your doctors recommendations post-op?  This of course could be nothing but overdoing it, it could also be something bad too.

Hope you feel better.


Chuck

[chris finn]

My PT has finished...you only get 5 visits on the NHS  >:(

My surgeon told me to just do everything that I wanted to do....he is a bit worried about the fact that some of the muscles/nerves in my leg arent working properly, but said to start weight training and cardio. He seemed to think that I would self regulate what I could do and what I couldnt do. And to be honest that has worked so far. I think/hope this is just a blip.....maybe a warning to me to slow down and take it a bit easier than I have been.

I think another 3 or 4 weeks to build my stamina and strength up a bit and I will be ready for work.  ;D

[wayne-0]

Hey Chris,
I work as a concrete finisher form setter etc. and I am a tile setter/mason. Very hard and heavy labor intensive. I went back to work the 12th week, just one week shy of 3 months. I could have gone back 4 weeks sooner but i figuered why rush it when the doc just did all this wonderful work on me. I have had no problems since going back to work and i believe it actually helped stretch my muscles out. When I went back to work i did 4 straight weeks of laying floor tiles so I was up and down a million times a day, happily all with no problems. Good luck.

Wayne

[chris finn]

Doc has signed me off for another month. She is a bit worried about the pain I am getting....especially as I have had no pain since the op. If it doesnt go by next Monday I have to go back and she will arrange x-rays...just incase.

[AlanN]

Doc has signed me off for another month. She is a bit worried about the pain I am getting....especially as I have had no pain since the op. If it doesnt go by next Monday I have to go back and she will arrange x-rays...just incase.

Hi Chris,
I'm only at five weeks but am happily walking 2-4 miles per day.
I'm also exercising 2-3 time a day but not lifting much weight at all, probably 20kgs max for squatting with a gym ball at by back for a little extra stability.

Cardiovascular, such as a static bike, is fine.

I too occasionally get very tired for no apparent reason but just put it down to the general trauma of the surgery.

I would definitely take it very easy on the weights mate, my surgeon told me before surgery that I was going to have rein myself in for the first 6 months, particularly where squatting or similar was involved, with anything other than light weights.
He explained that the first 6 months you are at risk of the dreaded femoral head fracture and over-stressing this area with extra weights should be avoided at all costs.

Good luck mate and I hope it all works out for you.
Sure to turn out to be a blip because you're overdoing it a bit, we all do it as we feel better ;)

[chris finn]

Hi Chris,
I'm only at five weeks but am happily walking 2-4 miles per day.

Blimey...your walking more at 5 weeks than I am at 11 weeks. Ive got no excuses as I live in the countryside....I think I might up my distance. I didnt start lifting weights until week 9..and then only because the doc said I could. But maybe he meant for me to take it slow... and not start a strength cycle  :-[ :-[

[obxpelican]

That sounds like a good plan Chris, hope it all works out for you.


Chuck

Doc has signed me off for another month. She is a bit worried about the pain I am getting....especially as I have had no pain since the op. If it doesnt go by next Monday I have to go back and she will arrange x-rays...just incase.

[chris finn]

First morning for over a week that I havent woken up with pain  :)

Started to get pain about 2pm....so I took the dog for a walk in the woods. And after a while the pain went, so its lots of walks in the woods for me....and the dog. I think it was just too soon to be doing tabata or interval training....ah well you live and learn. :-[ :-[

[obxpelican]

Chris,

So glad to hear you are better.  Keep up the dog walking.



Chuck

[chris finn]

Pain came back with a vengance. So I finally decided to do something about it..I rang the hospital where I had the op...the conversation went like this...

ME "had my hip resurfaced back in December, and Im getting bad pain...and I dont know what to do."
THEM "well you have an appointment scheduled for May 31st"
ME " dont you mean April 26th ?..thats my appointment"
THEM " that one was cancelled..didnt anyone tell you?"
ME "No, they didnt..and I cant wait until the end of May. Im in a lot of pain"
THEM "Ok, I can offer you 30th March if you like.But there is nothing until then"
ME "And the pain???"
THEM "Just keep taking the pain killers until your appointment"

Dont ya just love the NHS  ::) ::) ::) :o :o :o

[obxpelican]

Do you take something for inflamation?  Pain killers are just going to make you feel funny but won't help much with the inflamation that you are experiencing.


I hope your hip improves.

Chuck