Return to Work Plan

Graduated return to work plan

The plan was a made in agreeance between my benefits insurance, Human Resources and my store manager. My experience is mentioned at the end of the plan.

The days worked and days off followed a specific pattern to gain tolerance. The benefits ignored the weekends but the days were changed to incorporate that. I will therefore, just state the pattern and hours per shift.

Week 1  – 3 alternate days at 3 hrs

Week 2 – 3 alternate days at 3 hrs

Week 3 – 2 days together, gap, 1 day at 4 hrs

Week 4 – 3 alternate days at 5 hrs

Week 5 – 2 days together, gap, 1 day at 6 hrs

Week 6 – 2 days together, gap, 2 days together at 6 hrs

Week 7 – 3 alternate days at 7 hrs

Week 8 – 2 days together, gap, 2 days together at 7 hrs

Full Time Return to work Week 9 – my modifies duties from the surgeon mention no more than 3 consecutive days without a break.

Initially going  back was difficult. 3 hours was enough. Don’t forget that your body is not used to this and it takes a while to get back to things.

I agree that the 2 days together was a good idea because it did help with tolerance. Working the 3 alternate days was a great plan and gave a day of rest between work. I used this time to swim and rest. As the hours stepped up the pattern was for 3 alternate days initially and then 2 and 2. I did have some concerns about the jump from 4 days at 7 hours jumping to 5 days at8 hours. That was exactly where I personally had difficulty.

The difficulty was a combination of things. Firstly it was a big step-up on days and hours because it also meant that I had to work 3 consecutive days, something not done during the plan. It also coincided with our busiest week of the year, the full week prior to Halloween. Added to that was the fact on my 3rd consecutive day I had no back up during 7 hours of my shift. I had someone to cover a 15 minute break and a 30 minute lunch for me but by then the pain and discomfort had already set in. I was on my feet for all of my shift (which is my job as a retail supervisor) but this was too much, too soon, especially without support.

After the 3 consecutive days I had a day off work. I was in pain from the moment I woke up (throughout the night as well) and even trying to swim was not pain free and I did more moving in water than swimming. I take Aspirin for pain (Tylenol does not work for me) and sit with a hot water bottle against my back, which is where I get the pain from standing. However today the pain was in my knees, down my thighs and across my back. It was not a good day.

I was due in work very early the following day and for the first time ever, I called in sick the previous evening. The pain was still bad the 2nd rest day and had I struggled to go to work I would have had to come home. It would also have resulted in another day off.

I wish that I had fought that part of the plan and suggested it take a little longer to reach full time. Hopefully things will get easier moving forward.

Other things

I am swimming much better and easier now, and YES I am doing breaststroke, including the legs!

I think nothing now of going shopping for a few things but always grab a cart to make it easier on myself. I still don’t do a large grocery shop but that is more for the heavy lifting, and the fact we have 4 steps up to the house.

I have more patience now to do other things but still don’t do things without a break in between. For instance I will work and come home before either shopping or swimming. If I manage to work and then swim, I will not then go shopping right after. Luckily most things are within a very short distance for me.

Sleep is normal and if I my back is sore I will take a hot water bottle to bed with me.

I did hope I would be able to tolerate things better at this stage but I have a job that is hard on the body and I have to remember I have a damaged knee.

Everything takes time and everyone is different. Lots of people who know me or see me at work think I’m doing well. I try to stay positive and patient. Keeping active is good, but overdoing it is not!!

New Year 2020

I had more consecutive days off work during Christmas week and it made the holidays more enjoyable. I am slowly tolerating able to work and then stop at the grocery stores for a few items as needed. I am still not really up to a large grocery shop. Lifting is a little better but, of course, I still have the meniscus tear on my left knee which limits my capabilities. As we have 4 steps up to the front door I put one bag at a time on a step, step up myself, move the bag up one step etc.

I stopped taking the anti-inflammatory for 4 weeks because I wondered if my digestive issues or back pain were due to this. It meant I had to take aspirin as well as Tylenol Arthritis. I was suffering bad pain in my knee so went back to take the anti -inflammatory (Meloxicam, 1 each morning) along with 2 Tylenol Arthritis in the morning with breakfast. I then took 2 more Tylenol after 8 hours. I found at home I sometimes did not need the second dose of Tylenol Arthritis. I would have liked to not take any Tylenol but by the way I was feeling it was not possible. I have stopped taking any additional pain killers. **** see update

Covid-19

As much as I am trying to stay positive throughout this world pandemic. . As I have mentioned before I work in a retail thrift store. We were all temporarily laid off as of March 21, 2020.

Of course, I am back to doing exercises at home because the swimming pools are closed but both myself and the dog (Pepper -jackapoo) are getting more walks around the block and fresh air at the moment!

It is almost coming up to my one year anniversary and looking back at the previous year it has been a struggle but a very worthwhile one. I can only speak for myself, but I have zero regrets about having a hip replacement and am able to be a lot more mobile because of it. My only worry now is how my knee is and when it is bad enough to be replaced.

 

**** UPDATE

The back pain turned out to be 3 large kidney stones, caused by excess calcium due to a rogue parathyroid gland. Kidney stones were surgically removed (PCNL) in April 2022 and the parathyroid gland was surgically removed  May 2023.

I had a knee replacement in September 2024 and life is back to normal.

TAKEAWAY:  Do not refuse surgery from fear. I believe if you need the surgery then you have to do it. Grit your teeth, prepare for a bumpy ride but remember it will be wonderful to get your life back. Take the meds and do the exercises!!