Off sick from knee injury

[GG1512]

Hello fellow teachers

I'm just wanting a little reassurance and any personal stories regarding an issue I'm having.

Unfortunately I've had to get a sick note for the last 3 weeks from school (plus I'll need a least a couple of more weeks off too).
Incredibly painful knee which GP and physiotherapist both think is a meniscus tear. It's extremely swollen on an evening and I'm still unable to bear weight/walk much during the day.

I suppose I'm feeling guilty for being off work and I'm frustrated at how little knowledge anyone seems to have on what the recovery time looks like. Headteacher has yet to refer to employee healthcare but I'm sure he will soon. GP has referred me for an MRI but that's apparently a 7 week wait due to the massive backlog. Physiotherapy isn't starting till the end of March.

I'm also getting a lot of texts asking how I am, when I'm back etc. I think its coming from a place of kindness but it's difficult answering when I don't know much myself.

Is it normal to feel anxious and worried about being off for this long?

They're not allowed to "harrass" you while you are off sick, but of course they also want to show that they care. I think the only way to balance that is for you to be clear about the contact you'd like. For instance "It's lovely to hear from you, but please don't ask when I'll be back - I just don't know, which is frustrating me greatly - but I'll be sure to let you know when I have a better idea."

If it helps with the guilt, and only if you're up to it (pain can be quite debilitating), you might offer to take on the odd "work from home" task. You don't have to do anything while you're off ill, but I know one of my former colleagues quite enjoyed revamping our scheme of work whilst recuperating from an operation, and taught herself to use Word (long time ago) at the same time.
But don't feel in the least guilty if all you do is sit and read and watch TV! It happens to many people at some point in their working career.

I disagree with @Ianthanum I personally wouldn't offer to do 'work from home' tasks as it's setting a precedent for other staff who may find themselves in a similar predicament to you. I do agree with the advice to send a message about not asking when you will be back.

Thank you for the replies so far - they make me feel a lot better.
It's a tricky situation, particularly because of the backlog from the NHS (including the MRI and physio) and also the backlog from Employee Health. I feel like I'm doing all I can to help myself but I have that gnawing guilt in the back of my mind, like I should perhaps find a way to return to work without adjustments and just try to teach as best I can (but I know deep down that'll do more harm than good in the long term).

Again thank you for your advice so far.

Under no circumstances should you try to go back to work without appropriate adjustments being made. Do not put your physical well-being at risk for the sake of a job.

I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news but I tore my meniscus 9 months ago and am still having physiotherapy. I was off for 3 weeks but I went back with crutches now. Hopefully your recovery time will be quicker than mine but I wish somebody had been honest with me at the time as I was initially told I would be back to normal in 6 weeks! You need to prepare yourself that it might take a while to heal. I could walk without crutches after 3 months and I stopped taking daily painkillers after 6 months. I’m now more or less back to normal but still have some pain and struggle with stairs. I know what you mean about feeling bad about being off as I was exactly the same. I also don’t think people understand how painful it is and how long the recovery time can be. Just put yourself first and don’t worry about school.

Thankyou for your support and advice - I completely agree about the pain and how many seem to not understand how bad it is.

In all honesty, I kind of had an idea it may take many months to improve as my mum also had a meniscus tear (she was also a teacher - I'm sure it's repetitive actions in the classroom that cause it) and I know she was off for three months.
3 weeks and then back at work seems quick though (even with crutches) - mainly because if I don't have mine raised on a wedge pillow it's seriously swollen by the evening. Do you think I'm being silly by not going back? Perhaps I need to bear through it and return? I was hoping Employee Health might suggest some adjustments for me - not sure what they would be yet though.

I'm frustrated because I can't drive, can't walk very far, can't stand up for long, having to take Naproxen and then stomach protectors, ice it a bazillion times a day, sleep with a stupid pillow between my legs, can't do stairs - particularly downstairs - physio hurts (paying for private sessions which is expensive but I'm sick of waiting around).

They've said 7 weeks for the MRI - all of them are saying it sounds like a meniscus tear but it could be something else then I'm back to the drawing board.

Sorry, I'm being a proper moaning Minnie but I'm really fed up and feel like my colleagues consider me a burden. I've also already commited to going for a meal for my Year group leaders birthday (she's also my best friend) and now I feel really awkward because I'm worried it'll look like I'm good enough to return to work, when it actuality I'm just good enough to be sat on a chair for a couple of hours.

Sorry - information overload!

Thank you @Coconut - I think I know you're right deep down. My biggest fear is going back, making it worse and then having to have surgery. I also wonder whether going back without any adjustments also sets the tone that I'm okay to do my job as normal, which I'm really not.

@GG1512
You’re not moaning at all! I totally understand. I did have adjustments when I went back, we were still in the midst of serious covid restrictions and traipsing around the school to different classrooms each lesson but they allowed me to be based in one room. I definitely went back before I should have. I found specific physio exercises helped me.