Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

How long before you were able to return to work?  This is not a simple questions because some people have desk jobs and others have very physical jobs.  I have allowed people to choose their type of job and their time frame to returning to work.

Hi Pat,
I have a desk job so I planned to return to work after three weeks. I had the OK to drive because I was off pain medication and it was my left leg. Several people told me that I should return to work half days and maybe a short week as well the first week back. That is exactly what I did and I am so glad. I was exhausted my first three days back. The next week seemed much easier. Surgery takes a lot out of you.  Lisa

Pat,

I must qualify my 1 week return to work.  I worked from home.  Although I effectively worked about 10 hours a day, I was able to work from the comfort of home.  Please consider adding selection value to your survery:  Work from Home".  I would advise anyone with a desk job to take at least two weeks off of work. 

I have to qualify my answer too - I only went back part time to start off with and then ramped up from there as I had more energy.

I'm never returning to work.  I'm 61 years old and I've been a Union Carpenter in and around NYC for over 40 years.  This is it.  I'm getting fixed up and going out to have some fun!

Hi,
Not sure what to answer with this one. I am a 24/7 carer for my severely disabled husband. He has diabetes, is severely sight impaired, has osteo arthritis of both knees, blood pressure all due to a stroke  5 years ago, he now has vascular dementia.
Return to work??????
I started again as soon as I came out of hospital 2 days after surgery for a revision of a BHR complete with bone graft.

      At five weeks and still not back at work.  As an airline pilot there is no heavy lifting or running, etc., but twisting into and out of the cockpit seat is a little tricky.  Also sitting for up to 6 hours at a time with little wiggle room would probaby make me insane right now.  I plan on resuming a full schedule at exactly 8 weeks.  Curt

I work from home at my computer.  Returned to work at 1 week, but worked short periods.  Sitting is the toughest for me.  Walking/standing/lying down are much easier.  Returned to driving at my regular rate(7 hours per day--mom of 5 )at 4 weeks and that was very tough.

I was off 5 weeks before going back.

I was off 10 weeks for one of my jobs and 14 for the other

How's your hip responding to work, Danny?

It's doing ok. Still feels wierd but there's no pain and just some muscle ache. I think the weird feeling is down to the proprioceptive thing. I think it will take a long time for my body to fully adjust.

Agree, being back on the job will be good for that, though.

I hope so. I really can't wait to be in good enough shape to train!

I go back to work Monday April 2nd and it's going to be the start of my 10th week. I'm kinda of looking forward to going back to work I miss the route and my friends. I have a sit down job and I will only be working 3 days the first week. The Tigers opening day is Thursday April 5th and we get good Friday and Monday off for Easter....good way to start back if you ask me.

Zeke

I'm a resp.therapist I was suppose to go back on April 2, but extending it to the 16 th since my set back I work 2, 8hr shifts and 2 12hr shifts. On my feet no light duty and a 1 hr commute both ways.My mounted deputy job will be in may. That's when I'm cleared to ride.

Desk job.  Returned part-time (20 hours) this week, next week fulltime.  Thankfully, I can telecommute from home.  Sitting > 30 mins is uncomfortable, and oddly, although the job is not physical, it is wiping me out!  After logging out at 3 PM yesterday, I slept for 45 minutes!

I work from the home and actually started back part time on day 3, and full time on day 6. Like Arrojo I was uncomfortable sitting for any period of time, and that persisted until about day 21. It whipped me as well, and I slept a lot, for about the first 2.5 weeks or so.

Less than one week, but I worked from my recliner at home with the ice pad in place.  Laptop and wireless network.

I went back to work after the second week.  2 days part time and then full time. I was exhausted after work though for the first week! Fell asleep early every night. 
Joe

I had my 6wk. post-op appt. this week....I've got a very physically demanding job as a carpenter specializing in custom homes. I wish I could do as Woodstock Hippy and not have to return to work, but that's not possible in my world. If it weren't for having to move about like a monkey on the site I could be going back to work now but will continue my PT and strength training so that I can go back in 8wks. post-op without any special treatment.

I think that's wise, Kim - also make sure you observe weight bearing restrictions, want to be careful for however long your surgeon thinks it's needed.

I had my op on 19 Sep 2012 (picture)  (http://picture)and have a sick note up until 30 Nov. At around that time I'll be invited into
work by Occupational Health, with a view to easing me back into the work place, with desk realignment and short
days initially. I probably won't be working until mid December.

Welcome to the site!

At four months, that should be fine. Are you doing any Physical Therapy?

First day back today  >:(  :'(

That's 7 weeks but as I drive a lot for work it was the driving long distances that was the problem and the discomfort from the car seat on the scar site.  No pressure from the company to come back so took the time to concentrate on getting fitness  and function back.

Quote from: De Sisti on October 29, 2012, 12:37:28 PM
I had my op on 19 Sep 2012 (picture)  (http://picture)and have a sick note up until 30 Nov. At around that time I'll be invited into
work by Occupational Health, with a view to easing me back into the work place, with desk realignment and short
days initially. I probably won't be working until mid December.

Hi De Sisti.

Welcome to the site.  Glad you followed my link from YACF! Make the most of your time off work.  I went back to work yesterday and now wish I'd taken the opportunity to take a couple more weeks off to get the fitness back.  However, I saw my first customer this morning and I realised that my brain had gone to mush after only 7 weeks!

I went back to work on light duties at 13 1/2 weeks. I'm still on a gradual return working 2-3 days a week with a no heavy lifting restriction until February/March.

I had surgery Wednesday, went to the office after I left the hospital on Friday.  Was back full time following Monday, but this is a desk job.  I was off crutches 3rd day post op, with decent limp.  Limp gone completely by week 4.  I credit an intensive 3 months of conditioning prior to surgery, with my trainer Ken Ward of 24 Hr Fitness.  We did corrective exercises and core strength to try and deal with the cascade of bad stuff that happens when your body compensates for a bad hip.  Not a typical recovery, but if you are able to strengthen prior to surgery I think the outcome is greatly improved.

Quote from: gianstar on December 18, 2012, 06:13:03 PM
I had surgery Wednesday, went to the office after I left the hospital on Friday.  Was back full time following Monday, but this is a desk job.  I was off crutches 3rd day post op, with decent limp.  Limp gone completely by week 4.  I credit an intensive 3 months of conditioning prior to surgery, with my trainer Ken Ward of 24 Hr Fitness.  We did corrective exercises and core strength to try and deal with the cascade of bad stuff that happens when your body compensates for a bad hip.  Not a typical recovery, but if you are able to strengthen prior to surgery I think the outcome is greatly improved.

Welcome to the site, that's a very good recovery.  I also had good luck with both PT and trainers afterwards.

Everyone recovers at a different pace, but it is good to do some preparatory work if you can. The goal is always to be good for the foreseeable future.

How long ago was your surgery, and how are you feeling now?

My surgery was 11/14/12.  I am now about 6 weeks post op.  Limp gone, only residual pain (not really pain truthfully) is when I put my left sock and shoe on.  Still a bit tight.  I am back in the gym doing mostly PT and very mild workouts.  Following Dr.'s advice now running or impact until 12 weeks total have passed.  The prep work was a huge benefit, but now that I know more I would have spent some time doing leg raises, that has been the biggest nuisance in recovery.  Those muscles aren't cut during surgery, but apparently they get pretty abused during the surgery just the same.  I would strongly recommend strengthening and stretching front of hip area, which I did not focus on.  Please remember that I am relatively young and in shape at 40, so my story may not be typical.  All I'm saying is that if you can prep before surgery by training the supporting muscles, recovery apparently is better.  Good luck everyone!

Went back to work full duty as a firefighter in Fort Myers Florida at 8 1/2 weeks.  1 year post op now and resurfaced hip feels great.