Hi Jacqui
I have consulted my bible ie Fitness for work The medical Aspects FOM
edited by Keith Palmer et al. It says it is likely to be at least 4
months before any manual work can be undertaken, depending on his
recovery rate and ROM attained. It, also, says that 'employees should
not be expected to engage in manual lifting and demanding physical
activities particularly those involving kneeling or heavy impact on the
knees'. It implies that prolonged pressure on the new joint is likely
to hasten the degeneration/failure of that joint. I would say wait and
see what his recovery rate is, then risk assess his job taking into
account any control measures to lessen the risk before advising on his
long term future.
Regards
Vicky Wells
OH Nurse Adviser
Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust
Huntingdon
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Jacqui Livock
Sent: 08 October 2009 22:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] knee replacement and carpet fitters
hello all
I have been asked by an OH friend to post for advice following joint
replacement, I have checked Cox and it is not very clear/specific in
relation to
knee replacements and I have not done orthopaedics since the early 90's.
"I have met with a 50 year old carpet fitter who had a total knee
replacement
6 weeks ago, should he ever go back to fitting carpets? His role
involves
fitting floor tiles, carpet tiles, lino and full carpets, so there is
heavy lifting,
potentially use of stairs while lifting etc. Carpet fitting cannot be
done sitting
down- you may wish to note that it is not the knee he uses for the knee
operated carpet stretcher.
Can you ask your chat room colleagues if anyone knows if kneeling is
contraindicated long term following knee replacement? The surgeon has
not
answered that question in my request for information and advice on
RTW.The
employee will not ask it outright. At this time he is having
physiotherapy and is
starting to bend the knee. Google offers one medical research article
about
kneeling on a day to day basis but the outcomes of this research can be
argued for work related kneeling. My gut tells me no but obviously this
will
have massive implications for his employment so I would prefer an
evidence
base on which to back it up....hence my request. "
Over to you for advice if possible please.
Thanks in anticipation
Jacqui
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