I am 2 years from being able to retire with 25 years full time at age 57. The problem is I have no cartilage left in my right knee. They nearly killed me at Christmas working me 60 hours a week with no helper. My orthopedic surgeon wants to replace my knee joint and says I will be back to work with in 3 months. (hard for me to believe too) Is there a package car driver working today that has had a total knee replacement ?
.....from mrskin in Colorado
I had reconstruction knee surgery 8 weeks ago. I go to physical therapy (PT) two times each week and socialize a bit with other patients. A couple of them have had knee replacements. While our surgeries are quite different, there are many similarities in the PT program.
Your body must obviously heal from the physical invasion that was required to place such a device inside you and that will take a fairly predictable amount of time. The variable is rebuilding strength and regaining symmetry of your entire right leg when comparing it to the entire left leg. This includes the physical appearance as well as the range of motion. Your muscles will atrophy and will lose strength.
This is where PT comes in and every body is different in progress. As you reach milestones, you move on from there. And you do move on. Just follow the protocol. As ROD suggested, following the protocol exactly is mandatory for a faster and favorable outcome.
A final note, if you must get the procedure and it sounds like you will sooner or later, you should prepare mentally yourself for the months of PT.
People go through PT after many surgeries, and get through it.
It's your attitude that makes the difference. PT is hard and demanding and painful and and and. Do what they say, when they say and suck it up.
Don't underdo. Don't overdo.
Lots of information out there on the internet about recovery time.
All this being said, I have no information about returning to work as a driver after this procedure. I've seen lots of drivers come back to driving after all kinds of maladies, but our job is different. Ask your doctor, ask the union, ask HR.
Apparently, I must go through a type of fitness for duty test (essential job functions) in addition to the DOT physical before returning to work.
Good luck. I know how you feel, my employment status was/is similar to yours.