Any nurses with osteoarthritis?

[nicenurselpn, LPN]

I am a 42 year old who has osteoarthritis of the hip and SI joint. As a child I had Perthes disease and had several surgeries on my hip. As a result of the ravages of the disease, my femoral head is mushroom shaped and I have bone on bone rubbing. My hip and lower back hurt and ache even when I am resting.

The ortho I went to 2 years ago agreed that I need a hip replacement, but at my age didn't reccomend it because of my age and profession. I have had cortisone injection into my right hip which actually kept the pain at bay for almost a year.

I am a floor nurse who does alot of walking while pushing a very heavy med cart.

I also have sciatica in the same leg!! I live on Advil and have a script for Ultram.

Anyone else in the same boat as I am in? I am the primary wage earner in my home and carry the health insurance for my family, so quitting my job is not an option at this time. I just keep going on and am learning to live with the constant pain.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

(((((nicenurselpn)))))

I'm feeling you, sister!! :hug: I too am the family breadwinner, and had to quit floor nursing for good when I blew out my left knee in June 2010 and had to have surgery. I'd had arthritis in it forever, was almost bone-on-bone....I'm still resisting a TKR because I'm only 53. But I've also got it in the other knee, both ankles & hips, spine, left elbow and all 10 fingers PLUS the bases of both great toes. Believe me, you have my sympathies.

My recommendation to you would be to look for a job that doesn't require hard physical labor. Have you thought about hospice, home health, resident care coordinator in assisted living, telephone advice nurse? Some are desk jobs, others require a lot of driving and paperwork but at least you're not on your feet all day, and you don't necessarily have to be an RN.

There are probably more options if you're creative and perhaps willing to relocate, or you could even go back to school part time to work on becoming an RN. You're not ready to be put out to pasture, but you MUST take care of your body or it won't last long enough for you to make it till retirement.