sick note durations

[Wolf68]

Hello everyone, first of all I have some good news. After my GP chased up my referral for a TKR at the hospital I have now had a consultation appointment for 26th February. Hopefully I can at least get on the waiting list this time.

I have been resting my knee for the past month and have had a little relief from the pain and swelling, although I have still felt the need to take Zapain a lot. I have been doing the gentle exercises my doctor recommended most days but not without pain, and last weekend I increased the amount of walking I did but this just made my knee swollen and painful so I ended up taking more Zapain.

So I have 2 questions, firstly could I get another prescription for Zapain? I have 16 left which means I have taken 84 since 12th January but I’m not sure if I should be taking them less frequently than that, I do take paracetamol when the pain is not so bad but find Zapain is much better.

Secondly, my sick note expires on Wednesday and I am concerned about how I will be able to do my job. I have to do a fair amount of walking, driving, bending and kneeling in my job and these are all activities that cause pain and swelling so I feel that work would really set me back to square one. My GP has said at the moment I just need to manage the pain until I get treatment and I know I’m not an expert but I can’t see how my knee will get better enough for me to work until I have any treatment which is likely to be a total knee replacement, so do I just keep getting my doctor to extend my sick note every few weeks or can I get a long term sick note? I do feel if I return to work Wednesday I will last a matter of hours before being sick again.

Any advice on these things would be much appreciated.

[Runrig01]

As a nurse who has worked in orthopaedics many years, I would urge you to try and return to work. You need to keep your muscles strong, or recovery will be very difficult. Your gp can on the fit note that you can return but should avoid x,y and z. It is likely to be quite a wait for your knee replacement, even if the surgeon agrees to doing it.

You can certainly request more zapain from your gp, just be mindful that it can cause constipation, especially when taken regularly. If you do exercises to strengthen the quads, you should find that the pain lessens.

[SecondAngel]

Talk to your work about reasonable adjustments and phased return to work and see what they offer. They should look at modifying your duties, equipment that might make things easier and whether coming back in a phased way (part time and increasing over time) may work. If they employ an occupational health service they should assess you. I agree with runrig01 - being as active as you can without overdoing is is essential.

Take paracetamol first and then take the prescription one if it isn't enough after maybe an hour.

[Wolf68 in reply to SecondAngel]

I work for a small company who doesn’t really have the capacity to do a lot to be honest. I did speak to my bosses last month who said there weren’t any light duties for me and if I wasn’t ready I should go sick and come back when I am ready.

I will call them next week and have the conversation with them again, I intend to go back but if I’m honest I really don’t think I will even last a full day.

[CrownImperial]

I take Paracetamol 4 times a day as prescribed by GP. I was told to take them regularly and not just when pain is severe.

[DartmoorDumpling]

Too much paracetamol is not good for you, which is why you should only take it when necessary and as advised by your GP or as stated on the warning paper that comes in the packet. Try icing the joint as an alternative, use a pack of frozen peas for 20 mins at a time whilst resting. This reduces inflammation and numbs the pain too. Gentle movement is good to keep the muscles strong…swimming is an excellent non load bearing form of exercise, and cycling too. Lose weight (by keeping track of your calories) if overweight, again to reduce the load on the joint. Good luck with getting back to work…strap your knee with a sports bandage to protect it, and don’t kneel without padding to protect your knee joints.

[Wolf68 in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

I wish I could cycle, it was my main hobby up to a few years ago. I’ve cycled the length and breadth of Britain and cycled around France. As that got more painful I started swimming more but I’ve been unable to do that since September as that’s too painful as well now. I don’t know how it’s got this bad but I do actually spend the day and night just trying to find a comfortable position now. I’m going to speak to my boss next week and see if he wants me in but I really doubt if I last a day tbh. I’m now thinking surely I can’t live my life like this much more, surely they can do something for me.

[Zanypumpkin]

Hello Wolf68 I am inclined to agree with all the other replies, I am also on 4 Paracetamol a day along with your other pain relief medication long term. I do hope things work put for you soon .

[AuntyJean15]

Hi, following on from Runrig01, I have to agree with what she said about exercise.I need a TKR, am bone on bone and the joint is now 'clunking'.

I WAS taking Zapain, Omeprazole, Codeine Phosphate, Amatriptaline - for nerve pain and other meds that I can't remember.

I was using crutches and unable to drive for 6 months. I could add more but, here's the positive.

I have been exercising and walking every day and been fortunate enough to get a referral for Hydrotherapy through the MSK. It's taken quite a few months and a lot of self motivation/perseverance but I have had success with the excersise.

I am now only taking Paracetamol when required and using cold wraps to help any inflammation and help to reduce the Bakers Cyst at the back of my knee.

I don't use my crutches and am able to drive.

I hope this inspires you to give it a go, I can definitely relate to your situation and wish you all the best.

I received my Surgery date last week. It is in 2 weeks time!

Good luck 🤗

[Wolf68 in reply to AuntyJean15]

That’s great news about your surgery, wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery.

Thanks for the advice, how long have you had to wait in total for the knee replacement?

[AuntyJean15 in reply to Wolf68]

Over 12 months. Just to add to my previous, standing up is still an issue regarding pain but it give myself a bit of time before stepping forward and the pain does ease off. I'm not clinical but I do believe it is because of how much I have strengthened my quads, hamstrings etc.