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Original poster

Working when in plaster

19 replies

ziggy1986 · 16/08/2017 19:29

General query - have you ever been in a plaster cast for a long period and if so how did you manage to work? How much work did you do

OP posts:

MummyItsallaboutyou · 16/08/2017 19:33

I broke my right wrist ( right handed). I had about 4 weeks off work and then worked for about 4 weeks with the plaster on. I did most duties (office based) just slowly. I used it as an excuse not to take the team meeting minutes for months and months!

Original poster

ziggy1986 · 16/08/2017 19:42

My leg is in a cast. Have said I will work from home but am ending up doing more than 9-5. Only happened last week so am struggling somewhat.

OP posts:

MummyItsallaboutyou · 16/08/2017 19:44

Did they offer to sign you off work?

Original poster

ziggy1986 · 16/08/2017 19:51

I think I would need to get a doctors note which I think I could probably get no bother

I was happy to try and work from home rather than sign off but I feel it's a bit much

OP posts:

Loopy567 · 16/08/2017 20:10

I broke my right arm in November. I am also right handed, but went back to work after a week - once I had the full cast on. It meant a 20 minute walk to the station, a short train ride and then another 20-25 minute walk at the other end . I also still had to do all the household chores. I did the same when I broke my right hand wrist 20 odd years ago (although I was starting a new job - I would have still turned up).

Original poster

ziggy1986 · 16/08/2017 20:17

I can't walk though 😐 - I'm non weight bearing so am on crutches and can't even put my foot on the ground. It is not v easy to do anything at the moment, yet I am ending up working more than 9-5.

OP posts:

MummyItsallaboutyou · 16/08/2017 20:30

I would say phone your GP in the morning for a fit note or whatever they call them now. There's no shame in being signed off. There is no way I could have worked for the first few weeks after breaking my wrist. I was recovering from GA and on pain killers that knocked me out!

ASauvingnonADay · 16/08/2017 20:46

I think you could be signed off, although confused as to why you're working more than 9-5?

Original poster

ziggy1986 · 16/08/2017 20:48

The type of job it is is often more than 9-5 - which I accept as part of job normally but I think is a bit ridic at the moment

OP posts:

Slimthistime · 16/08/2017 20:50

I think you should be signed off
It's exhausting enough being on crutches.

Crumbs1 · 16/08/2017 20:54

I can't see why you couldn't work on crutches unless your job involves driving, lots of walking or other physical activity. Maybe not the first few days but plenty of people manage to work with restricted mobility.

DameBurleyChassis · 16/08/2017 20:57

I broke my ankle last year and was off work while I was in plaster. It was a very bad break so was in plaster for 10 weeks and during that time had to have my foot up all the time, I couldn't bear to sit with a laptop on my lap as it meant I couldn't keep my foot high enough or sit at a desk.

I started working from home once I was out of plaster and in the big boot thing and went back to the office once I could drive again which was around 3.5 months all in.

KoolKoala07 · 16/08/2017 20:58

Dh has just broken his wrist. Done it in a Thursday evening, had a days annual leave the Friday anyway then back in after the weekend. Not allowed to drive so I'm having to drop off and pick up (aswell as work full time myself). He doesn't get sick pay so has no choice. There are quite a few aspects of his job he can't do but work have been accommodating.

Original poster

ziggy1986 · 16/08/2017 21:42

Crumbs - I can't walk so it is difficult to actually get there, go to the loo, get dressed etc.

Leg is also painful if not elevated, so work would need to sort how they are able to accommodate me.

Just to clarify, I am actually working - more than 9-5 (am on laptop at the moment) so not some sort of piss taker. I've only ever taken 2 days off work in 15 years of working before this. I am just not sure how reasonable it is to be expected to be put in these hours when I've literally just done this, am in pain and struggling to get around. I didn't manage to shower yesterday because I didn't have time to do much else other than work.

Love a bit of stealth boasting from some folk 🙄 - perhaps my boss is on here.

OP posts:

camtt · 16/08/2017 21:50

I guess it's going to depend on the cast, how much pain you are in and what your job/commute involves. I broke my wrist (badly) on a Friday and was back in on Monday. I wrote with my other hand till the broken one was back in shape. In part, that is just me and I could certainly have justified two, maybe three days off. After that I wasn't in pain, and with an office job there was no good reason not to be in work. Obviously if you are immobile with a limb elevated it's going to be different.

Topseyt · 16/08/2017 22:09

I broke my right arm about 18 months ago. I am right handed too. It was a bad break, with both bones completely broken and one splintered and through the skin. It needed surgery and now has two metal plates.

It was in some very large casts for several weeks and that meant I couldn't drive.

With regard to work, most of my job is administrative and done online. I was working from home at the time so I was able to carry on. I am normally a fast touch typist, but I gradually adapted to just typing left handed for a few weeks. Slow and slightly frustrating at first, but over time I did get quite fast using that method after a while.

That is not possible for everyone though, and you might need to be signed off by your GP.

bumblingbovine49 · 16/08/2017 22:17

A broken wrist is not going to be anywhere as difficult to manage as a broken leg where you are non weight bearing.

I had 2 weeks off work with a broken collarbone years ago. I couldn't drive to work as it hurt to steer and gear changes were agony. The doctor said to avoid being jostled for 10 days, which was not conducive to travelling on a crowded tube to work, so I was unable get to and from work safely. Even sitting at a desk typing hurt.

When I broken my wrist I was back at work a couple of days later.

It depends on the injury. I am sorry you are having a hard time. I would take a couple of weeks off, then try working from home again until you are able to get back to travelling/, working in an office.

happy2bhomely · 16/08/2017 22:23

It's not really helpful to compare. You know if you are capable of working.

My mum broke her leg and ankle badly last Thursday. She is only in her 50's. She has broken her tibia, fibula and ankle. They couldn't operate until Tuesday because the swelling was so bad. She has been transferred to a specialist unit. She now has a frame screwed into it and they will be operating again on Friday and then again in 3 weeks time. Then she will be put in a cast for at least 12 weeks. She will not be fit to work for at least 6 months, probably longer. She is in terrible pain. She is very distressed about letting work down and has already had people telling her that she has 'only' broke her leg and isn't ill.

It is not always as simple as just get on with it!

JohnHunter · 16/08/2017 23:14

You can self-certify and should not need a medical note for the first 7 days of illness. When is your next fracture clinic appointment?

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