Osteoarthritis and floor work

twinkletoes53 · Jul 22, 2010

I am curious to know if any of you with osteoarthritis, specifically of the knee, are working a 12 hour floor shift. I was diagnosed with stage 3 osteoarthritis and had arthroscopy (subtotal meniscectomy, etc.), and have gone back to work. It seems to be getting more difficult each day, swelling (am on meloxicam,) periods of pain, steps are not good, and at the end of the day only want to get to bed with ice on the affected joint. I am going to talk with my orthopedist about Symvisc, cause if I don't get improvement don't know how much more of this I can take. Anyway, am curious to hear from others and how it has affected you, I know everyone is different.
Thanks all

I was diagnosed with arthritis when I was 38, and am now 56. I worked in an NICU for 30 years, at a Weekend Option shift; so I only worked two 12 hour shifts/week, with 5 days off to recover. Not full salary, but enough to support myself.

In early 2000 my doctor recommended Synvisc, but my hospital insurance would not cover it. After two knee arthroscopies in 2001, I ended up with bilateral total knee replacements. In early 2008 I had a triple arthrodesis to fuse my right ankle, due to Stage 4 PTTD. Yes, I went to work each weekend, in pain. I took Tylenol at work; at home I have a prescription-strength extended release pain med. that I take prn; plus muscle relaxers prn.

Your ability to work with arthritis partially depends on the specific area you work in. Do you have to lift heavy patients? Move heavy equipment, push hospital beds? You can fill out a "Request for Reasonable Accommodation", in which you specify the weight limits you can lift, and to be allowed a break where you can put your feet up at work. This is part of the ADA act. I would ice my knees at work and put my feet up when I was on break.

But each orthopedic surgery I had shifted my center of gravity, and I've used a cane for over 10 years. I am off-balance, especially when stressed and tired (i.e. work), but can support myself with my cane. I did not pick up the infants if at all possible; but cared for them in their cribs. I had requested a lighter, less physically demanding patient load. My request was not honored.

I have wrecked my health. I should have stopped sooner. When people asked me why I continued to work, I always said "Because I love my job more than I hate the pain." I had told my boss that if I could make it to my 35 year Anniversary at the hospital, I'd be elated. I've been there 34 years.

Two months ago, I fell at work after tripping over monitor and IV cords on the floor. I was recovered after 3 days. Hospital Administration had requested a review of my Rehab. doctor's notes, where he had stated that we discussed my moving to a Sedentary job. I was also going to apply for SSD.

After the hospital received my doctor's notes, I was called to a meeting. After 34 years, the hospital is going to terminate me on Sept. 1 if I have not found a Sedentary job elsewhere on the campus. No reason was given. I am heart-broken; but I'm also fighting back. :crying2:

Good luck; look after yourself above all else. Because in the end, your health is the only thing that matters.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2010

My friend's mother has been a nurse since 1969 and has osteoarthritis of the knees. She gave up hospital nursing in the mid-1990s and works 8-hour night shifts at a local nursing home from 10pm to 6am. My friend's mother says that the work is not very strenuous, she's not on her feet for an extended period of time, that the CNAs do the lifting, and that she's got plenty of downtime during the night. She uses the downtime to complete paperwork, calibrate glucometers, clean feeding pumps, and other miscellaneous tasks.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jul 23, 2010

Yup, been there. Started with a meniscus tear. Had a meniscusectomy. Seemed to make it worse. Pain continued but I had to work (12 hr shifts in acute care facility). Tried everything not to have a TKR. I am 43 years old. Been nursing for 20. Did steroid shots, meloxicam, fake joint fluid shots, PT, ice and heat, water therapy- basically on my own in a pool, a hinged brace that went from thigh to calf and of course pain meds (Ultram at work and Vicodin when I got home). Manager was nice trying to help me by working w/ me on my schedule- not too many in a row, etc. Staff on my unit were nice trying to make my assignments close to the desk but wear and tear eventually had me bone on bone and I couldn't take the pain anymore. I would leave work in tears. Ortho doc recommended a TKR. Went for a second opinion and got the same verdict.

Had a TKR in October 2009. Nine months has gone by and I'm still having stiffness and some pain but nothing like it was. I had enough time to take off 4 months and I did intensive PT and worked very hard on my own.

I'm not 100% but they say it takes a year...

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 23, 2010

Welcome to my world........I had arthroscopy and meniscectomy last month for severe OA of the left knee and am a LOT better (although now I want to get the right knee done because it hurts too). I'm also on Voltaren, which helps a great deal as well, and I have Vicodin to take at night although I very seldom need it now.

However, my orthopedic surgeon told me unequivocally that "You can't tolerate 8 hours of being on your feet---you are going to have to find something you can do without running the floors all day." Otherwise I'm going to wind up needing a TKR in a year or so, and since I'm only 51 I don't really want to start those this early!

Unlike one of the posters above, I DON'T love my work more than I hate the pain, so I'm looking for a job I can do sitting down for most of the time. That was some of the worst pain I've ever had.........I couldn't concentrate, I was grumpy all the time, I couldn't sleep or rest well because the pain would wake me up at night. I still have some pain in the operative knee, but it's a dull roar now compared with what it was, and I have NO desire to experience its full intensity again.

Bubbles · Jul 23, 2010

I give the above posters with serious disabilities credit for wanting to continue in the nursing profession, BUT what you are doing to your bodies is CRAZY! No one's life is improved by being in contant pain. It does not make you a better person. For those of you who are already dealing with chronic conditions that will only get worse I urge you to use the excellent knowledge that you currently have in another area of nursing that allows you to get off your feet. Positions like a Nurse Consultant with a rehab company or insurance companies where you can sit, stand, walk rather than be on your feet 12+ hours per day! The current 12 hour shifts most hospitals require were NOT developed for the good of nurses! Some younger nurses will disagree and say how wonderful it is having all those days off. BUT 12 hour shifts are very hard on your bodies and sooner or later you find you have to give up something you may or may not love. We nurses need to care for ourselves like we care for our patients because we are worth it and, because if we don't, who will? I know from personal experience how difficult giving up bed side nursing can be. But there are other work situations within our profession that are also rewarding.