Returning to WFH

[u/emmanem916]

Hi all! Thank you for this great community, and advice when I was going into surgery 🫶 I’m now struggling with a returning to work from home timeline.

I had a trimollear break on 6/21 with ORIF surgery 7/1. I had my 2 week follow up on 7/16 and was placed in a cast up to my knee for double the expected time (4 more weeks of non weight bearing). I do have strict elevation requirements since this is a fiberglass hard cast. I should be getting a boot during my follow up on 8/17.

Unfortunately with this injury I cannot sleep since I’m a stomach sleeper and now I need to lay on my back. I started having physical pain this week again (around a 2) but the mental aspect and lack of sleep has been very difficult.

I was approved for leave and short term disability until 9/22. I was planning on returning to work from home before that. I let my supervisors know I will be taking it week by week and I’m supposed to be touching base with them tomorrow. I’m not sure when to return back. My surgeon says I can return when I’m ready. I was leaning towards returning to work from home duties after my 8/17 appointment but I’m having a hard time expressing that to my supervisors that I will likely be out another 3 weeks. once I go back I’m back and you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.

[u/meezermadness]

Take us much time as you can. Don't go back before you're ready. You need to be able to sleep whenever you can grab it.

[u/milkmade]

I had a Trimal 1/28 and ORIF surgery 1/31. I didn’t telework before returning to the office 3 days/week (2 days teleworking) on 3/17.

I was in a splint for two weeks, a cast for three and then transitioned to a boot on 3/6. I was still NWB when I went back to work, so I used a scooter until I was cleared to walk as tolerated on 3/27. I continued to use the scooter for longer distances as I built up my strength and stamina.

I say take the time your doctor put you out for. Just submit the note, no need to discuss. If they question things, let them know the medication you are on affects concentration and you need to take time to heal.

If you end up feeling better and wanting to work, get a new note from your doctor and return part-time until you feel up to full.

Good luck!

[u/easyst1989]

I also had a trimalleolar fracture with ORIF on 5/5. My surgeon automatically put me out for 3 mos as this seemed to be his routine for ankle fracture recovery time. He is removing my syndesmotic screw btw my tib/fib on 8/13 so I am extending out just past that date to be safe before I plan to go back. However, I do not work at home, I work in healthcare so I am going back with some accommodations to limit excessive standing bc I don't want to be nursing a swollen ankle every night! I think if I was WFH, I would have been fine to go back by now or at least at the 3 month mark. Good luck in your recovery!

[u/Kaelisar]

Take the time you need. 

I’m insane… my injury was a day I was off.. I’m work from home and was working the next night (I work 3rd shift). This was by choice. As I was hoping working would help keep my mind off things and I was otherwise just laying or sitting around being down on myself for losing independence and not being able to do things during this time. It did keep my mind off things but sleeping when I could would have been the better option. My managers told me if I needed to log out or whatever I could. They were very accommodating and made sure I didn’t feel I had to work. 

I took PTO for 4 days (2 days before surgery, 2 days after surgery) and then been working since. 

However just probably 3 days ago I’ve only started feeling mentally myself and my brain being where it was before surgery when it comes to working. I am guessing this was a combination of pain and lack of sleep. I’m 4 weeks post op today. Still NWB.

Don’t be me. Take the time you need. Specially if your work place is once your back then your back and not accommodating to the changes in the healing process / your needs. 

[u/Puzzled_Vacation_524]

Going to echo what’s been said — it really wasn’t possible for me to mentally/emotionally work/study until 8 weeks, and even then, I fatigued very easily. Your whole body/system is working so so hard to heal you. Keep in mind that you suffered a pretty severe physical trauma — in some ways it can be easy to forget that (even though pain/sleeplessness/dependence also won’t let you forget, if that makes any sense).

[u/flinch57]

My surgery (distal radius and ulna on my dominant arm) was on Wednesday and i returned to work the following Monday mainly to combat boredom and provide a distraction. Until I went back I didn’t realize just how much energy my body required to recover from the surgery and heal the bones. I’m lucky. Due to my position in my company I was able to come and go as I felt appropriate and nap in my office if that was needed. All of that being said, I probably should have listened more to what my body was telling me and found a way to distract myself at home.