Orthopaedic Surgery
| Condition | Recommended return to non-manual | Recommended return to manual | Factors affecting return to work |
| Total hip replacement | 3-4 months[1] | 6-8 weeks before driving[1,2] | |
| 6 weeks | 3-6 months | 3 months before flying >3hrs[1,2] | |
| 6-8 weeks[8] | 12 weeks[8] | May start working from home after 2 weeks | |
| Knee arthroscopy | 1-2 weeks[1,2] | 3-4 weeks[1,2] | 2 weeks before prolonged sitting[1,2] |
| ACL reconstruction | 3-9 months[1,2] | Depending on workload | |
| Partial meniscectomy | 1-2 weeks[1,2] | 4-6 weeks[1,2] | |
| 2 weeks | |||
| 10 days[8] | 2 weeks[8] | ||
| Total knee replacement | 6 weeks[8] | 12 weeks[8] | |
| Achilles tendon repair | 3-6 months[1,2] | Depending on workload | |
| Bunionectomy/osteotomy | 6-8 weeks | 6-12 weeks[1,2] | Shorter if little or no walking |
| 2-6 weeks[9] | 12 weeks | 25% safe to drive after 2 weeks, all safe after 6 weeks | |
| Ingrowing toenail removal of nailbed | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | Longer if walking long distances |
| Lower limb amputation | 6 months[1,2] | ||
| Carpal tunnel release | 1-3 weeks[3] | 1-3 weeks[3] | |
| 1-2 weeks[8] | 2-4 weeks[8] | medium manual 4-6 weeks, heavy manual 6-10 weeks [8] | |
| # wrist non-dominant | 1 week | ||
| # wrist dominant | 12 weeks | ||
| # clavicle | 6 weeks | 12 weeks | |
| Upper limb amputation | 3 months[1,2] | ||
| Shoulder arthroscopic subacromial decompression | 2-6 weeks | 6-12 weeks | bursa takes around six weeks to reform, so activity during this period may be painful and limited |
| Shoulder rotator cuff repair | 4-12 weeks | 3-6 months | complete immmobilisation for first 2-6 weeks, so early work activity will be limited |
| Scaphoid open reduction and fixation | 4-6 weeks[2] | After union[2] | |
| Microdiscectomy | 4 weeks | 8 weeks[4,5,6,7] | |
| 6-12 weeks | |||
| 6 weeks[8] | 12 weeks[8] | ||
| Spinal decompression and fusion | 3-6 months[4,5] | ||
| Wrist fusion non-dominant | 1 week[10] | outcome of wrist fusion depends on reason for surgery (after trauma a much faster recovery is expected than surgery for rheumatoid arthritis) | |
| Wrist fusion dominant | 4 months[10] | For some manual workers is skilled trades a permanent redeployment may be necessary | |
| [1] Samuel AM, Wellwood JMcK. Fitness for work after surgery. In Palmer KT, Cox RAF and Brown I. (Eds) Fitness for Work 4th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2007 pp 467-486. | |||
| [2] Cox RAF, Nugent IM. Orthopaedics and trauma of the limbs. In Palmer KT, Cox RAF and Brown I. (Eds) Fitness for Work 4th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2007 pp 467-486 pp 261-292. | |||
| [3] Ratzon N, Schetjer-Margalit T, Froom P. Time to return to work and surgeons' recommendations after carpal tunnel release. Occupational Medicine 2006;56:46-50. | |||
| [4] Palmer KT, Greenough CG. Spinal disorders. In Palmer KT, Cox RAF and Brown I. (Eds) Fitness for Work 4th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2007 pp 233-260. | |||
| [5] Carragee EJ, Han MY, Yang B, Kim DH, Kraemer H, Billys J. Activity restrictions after posterior lumbar discectomy. A prospective study of outcomes in 152 cases with no postoperative restrictions. Spine 1999;24:2346-51. | |||
| [6] Magnusson ML, Pope MH, Wilder DG, Szpalski M, Spratt K. Is there a rational basis for post-surgical lifting restrictions? 1. Current understanding. Eur Spine J 1999;8:170-8. | |||
| [7] Ostelo RWJG, de Vet HCW, Waddell G, Kerchoffs MR, Leffers P, van Tulder MW. Rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2. Oxford: Update Software, 2002. | |||
| [8] Royal College of Surgeons of England. | |||
| [9] Holt G et al. Emergency brake response time after first metatarsal osteotomy. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008;90(8):1660-4 | |||
[10] Consensus from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde |
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Recommendations based on formal analysis of evidence are in red. Where only some evidence is available, the figures are in blue, and the relevant references are provided. Consensus-based guidelines are in black.