Carpenter returning to work

I had a pm inplant on 3/12/19 and the nurse who took off the bandage a week after said it would be 10 -12 weeks before I can return to work ,I’m a machine operator in a cabinet shop and I  do a lot of lifting of material onto the saws anywhere from 10-75lbs 

just want to get some opinions.tt

3 Comments

lifting at work

by SamanthaS - 2019-04-02 14:31:29

Listen to your nurse and doctor

Lifting post implant

by DouglasRachac - 2019-04-02 15:00:45

Typical post-implant restrctions are no lifting more than 10 pounds with your implant side arm for 6-8 weeks.  After that, slowly ease back into your normal routine.  By 3-4 months post implant you should be able to do what you had been doing before without worry.  So, her saying 10-12 weeks before you return to your normal workload is consistant with that.

Wow!

by donr - 2019-04-03 15:28:55

Depends upon your Cardio!  My instructions were " No raising elbow above shoulder for 6 weeks.   Don't lift more than 5 lbs w/ implant side for 6 weeks."  I looked at my nurse & asked "Why such screwy restrictions? How maNY people know how much 5 lbs is.  Why can't it be 8 lbs?  That's the weight of a gallon of milk & everyone knows that weight?"  She said "Fine,  do less than 8 lbs."   Then I asked her  "Why is there a restriction on how much I can curl? (Curl is lifting w/ just the forearm - no involvement of shoulder muscles)  Shre thought for a moment & said  "Curl all you want - that makes sense."  So I went out & made myself a sling to keep the elbow below the shoulder & wore that while I slept.  I was building a house at the time so needed as much flexibility as possible.  It turned out to be easy to meet the other two restrictions w/o lifting more than 8 lbs, keeping the elbow down  & keeping my elbow pinned to my side & curling to lift a lot of lumber. Everything healed up just fine - no complications whatsoever.  I was back at work w/i three days  - just had to think before moving & be constantly aware of my movements & lifting.  For most people the height of a tablesaw is below the elbow.

Donr

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