Do you think working with a knee walker would be possible?

Published

May seem like a strange question, but I need an honest opinion.

I need foot surgery for a chronic painful condition. I would be non-weight bearing for six weeks or so after the surgery. Not working is not an option, so I have not had it done yet. The pain is terrible though and affecting my quality of life. I am considering having it done, taking off about two weeks after (I have some PTO), and then going back to work with a knee walker. I honestly think I can do my job (med-surg) with a knee walker. If I attach a basket to it, then I can carry everything I need. The only hitch would be assisting patients who need help with ambulation, but a lot of time this task is for physical therapy and/or nursing techs.

Am I crazy for thinking this is possible?

Do you think I would be putting an extra burden on other staff members?

The pain is unbearable, so I am ready to get this done, but taking six weeks off work can't happen! Thank you for your opinions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not a nurse yet, but your post caught my eye because I have seen another nurse work with a knee walker- and it was the COOLEST thing ever!! :-) She scooted around in that thing like nobody's business! :yeah: She was working for one of the plastic surgeons at Johns Hopkins. Again, I am not sure what your job completely entails, but, I say go for it, especially if it is affecting your quality of life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

My primary concern would be your ability to physically react to events happening around you. The knee walker will likely slow you down should you have to respond quickly. It will likely be cumbersome - i know on my unit there's too much clutter in the room with just the necessary equipment -a wheeled device on the end of my leg would make things worse.

The bottom line is that I can give you my opinion until the cows come home, but you really should be asking your unit manager what your work restrictions are - i am willing to bet that he/she will tell you that it's a liability to have you on the floor while non weight bearing on a limb.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

Where I used to work, one of our RN's needed major surgery, and didn't have the PTO to take all that time off, so they had him come in to do admissions and discharges from his wheelchair a few days a week... just an idea. But the previous poster is right. You should be talking to your unit manager about this to find out what the restrictions are.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Cardiac.

Check with your Employee Health coordinator to see if they would allow you to work with the knee walker first. I was not allowed to come back to work and be on the patient care floor with a walking boot after my ankle injury.

It would depend on your hospital's policy. If they say yes, get the information in writing before you go out, just in case there is a change.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your responses. FirefightingRN, 86toronado, and JennRN65, you all have brought up great points. I need to do some research about the policies at work and talk to my NM. SarahBanana, your post gives me some hope...maybe it is doable. I will just have to look into it!

Thanks again for the input!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

I have a hard time imagining someone being allowed to work at a bedside position without a full release for complete duties. If this was a work-related problem, they may be able to find you desk-work. If not, you may be out of luck. Do you have short-term disability?

You need to ask your manager, HR and maybe employee health. Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Med-Surg, Psych, Oncology, Hospice.

I am sorry for your situation. I find myself in the same position, needing surgery but unable to afford the recovery time without a paycheck. Our facility will not allow anyone to work with restrictions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One of our nurses did chart audits for a couple of weeks. Talk to your manager about your options.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in flight, critical care, ER.

One concern you might need to address would be having your circulation compromised for 12 hours. If you are on the knee walker for that long your foot may take longer to heal. Most places are willing to work with someone who really wants/needs to work. Do you have short term disability?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, you all have given me some good ideas. I need to talk to HR and NM to see if they are willing to work with me for all of this. I am in a pickle, cause it hurts tremendously to be on them 12 hours now, but I can't afford the time off, so I struggle through it. NM already knows that I am in pain and have been to MD about this and will need surgery, so now I have put this off as long as possible and I need to sit down and talk about the details of work for me post-op.

I don't have disability insurance. I looked into it, but it seems that it would not kick in for me until another 12 months pass because it is pre-existing. Ugh. I don't think I can wait another year.

Oldnurse, I am sorry you are in the same predicament. Keeping my fingers crossed that we will find solutions to our work/surgery issues.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I'm sorry to hear of your predicament. How well I understand. When working in an ICU, I was put on restrictions prior to surgery. My facility would not allow me to work. Yet I had heard of others who were doing chart audits. It could be that there were only so many people that could be doing chart audits at one time.

I hope you feel better soon and rest easy with a solution.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion