More than one million Americans have a knee replaced every year in the US, and most of these patients have yet to officially retire from the workforce. Because of this, one of the most common questions we receive from patients during a knee replacement consult is “when can I get back to work after surgery?”
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question, but we can typically give patients a pretty general timeline after learning more about their line of work and the duties they perform on a regular basis. In today’s blog, we explain when you may be able to return to work after knee replacement, and what factors influence your ability to get back to work after surgery.
Returning To Work After Knee Replacement Surgery
A knee replacement surgery can be just what you need to restore function and keep you able to perform all the necessary tasks at your job. If you’re worried that your operation will fail to provide relief and it will actually hinder your ability to hold your job, think again. A study published in the National Library of Medicine involving nearly 500 participants found that 98 percent returned to work after surgery, and the few patients who did not return to work did not exclusively cite issues with their operation as the reason that they did not return. In other words, you can expect to get back to your career after knee replacement surgery, and odds are you’ll be much more comfortable on your new knee.
But when can you get back to work? Interestingly, when you can get back to work has less to do with your age and much more to do with the tasks you perform at work. The lighter the physical toll on the body, the sooner you can typically return to work. Again, you will want to discuss your specific return to work timeline with your surgeon, but here’s a very general timeline for when you may be able to return to work:
- 2 Weeks – Remote workers with a sedentary job may be able to get back to work within two weeks.
- 2-6 Weeks – Individuals with a very sedentary job may be able to return to work within 2-6 weeks once they are mobile enough to safely commute to and from work.
- 6-12 Weeks – Light-duty jobs or work that requires significant standing or moving throughout the day may need 6-12 weeks before you are cleared to return.
- 10-16 Weeks – Individuals who work labor-intensive jobs can usually expect to need anywhere from 10-16 weeks before they will be able to handle the rigors of their job after knee replacement surgery.
We understand that you want to get back to work and continue earning a paycheck, but it’s imperative that you do not rush back too quickly or lie to your surgeon about your work duties so that you can be cleared sooner than you should. Overstressing your artificial knee before enough healing has taken place can cause major problems for your new implant, possibly resulting in the need for a subsequent corrective procedure. Be honest with your surgeon about your job duties and wait until they grant you clearance before taking on tasks that require more movement and stress on the knee.
Dr. Botero and his team will do everything they can to ensure that your recovery goes smoothly and that you can get back to doing all your normal activities in short order. We’ll likely have you up and moving the day of surgery, but you’ll need to be a little patient before you get back to work. We’re happy to provide more insights or develop a return to work plan following your procedure based on your specific job duties.
For more information about getting back to work after knee replacement, or to learn more about the procedure, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today at (865) 558-4444.
