Return to work after shoulder rottor cuff surgery

by MS. W.
(USA)

I HAVE HAD SHOULDER PAIN FOR OVER 8 YEARS AFTER A JOB INJURY (HAVE HAD MANY INJECTIONS, PHYSICAL THERAPIES ,ETC ). SURGERY WAS LAST WEEK WITH REPAIR OF TWO ROTATOR CUFF TEARS AND SPUR REPAIR. THE DOCTOR SAID BEFORE THE SURBERY THAT I'D PROBABLY BE OFF FROM WORK FOR 4-6 WEEKS BUT THAT IF HE FOUND A TEAR HE'D KEEP ME OFF FROM WORK FOR 6 WEEKS. I ESTIMATED MY TIME NEEDED TO BE APP. 5 WEEKS. A SUPERVISOR FROM WORK CALLED THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND APPARENTLY QUESTIONED THE TIME, STATING THE SURGERY WAS TO BE ON MY NONDOMINATE ARM. NOW THAT THE SURGERY HAS BEEN PERORMED, THE DOCTOR HAS ESTIMATED RETURN TO WORK ONLY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE SURGERY, SAYING I'LL HAVE TO JUSTIFY LONGER WITH MY EMPLOYER. (NOT THAT I DON'T REQUIRE THE TIME). I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AS I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT IF A TEAR WERE FOUND I'D NEED 6 WEEKS, AND NOW THAT NOT ONE BUT TWO TEARS HAVE BEEN FOUND, ONLY 2 WEEK ARE REQUESTED. BASED ON HOW I'M FEELLING, I DON'T THINK 2 WEEKS WILL BE ENOUGH AND I HAVE MAJOR CONCERN ABOUT REINJURING THE AREA DUE TO IMPROPER TIME FOR HEALING. HAD I KNOWN BERORE THE SURGERY THAT I'D ONLY HAVE 2 WEEKS, I WOULD NOT HAVE SCHEDULED IT AT THIS TIME - I FEEL THE RULES HAVE BEEN CHANGED AFTER THE GAME STARTED. I AM AN EDUCATOR WHO IS NOT BASED IN ONE AREA ALL DAY, BUT TRAVEL A LARGE CAMPUS CARRYING SUPPLIES, ETC. NEEDED FOR EACH LOCATION. THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST HAS SAID TO CONSIDER THE AFFECTED ARM AS NONEXISTENT AND TO NOT USE IT AT ALL (A SLING IS NEEDED OR 6 WEEKS). I FEEL WORKING ALL DAY SO SOON AFTER THE SURGERY WITH THE ONE ARM DOING EVERYTHING IS NOT MEDICALLY SOUND. I'M STILL ON PAIN MEICATION WHICH MAKES ME SLEEPY AS WELL. I'M NOT SAYING I WILL NEED A FULL 6 WEEKS, BUT I FEEL 2 WEEKS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH. PLEASE COMMENT AND ADVISE. THANK YOU. MS. W.