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Fitness for work after surgery
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Fitness after surgery
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Orthopaedic surgery - upper limb
Orthopaedic surgery - upper limb
Procedure
Sedentary admin
Sedentary light manual
Active light manual
Heavy manual
Physically demanding
Carpal tunnel release
4-14 days
4-14 days
2-5 weeks
3-6 weeks
6-10 weeks
Cubital tunnel release
1-7 days
1-7 days
1-7 days
1-4 weeks
4-6 weeks
De Quervain’s release
1-2 weeks
2-4 weeks
2-4 weeks
6-10 weeks
6-10 weeks
Dupuytren’s collagenase injection
1 week
1 week
1 week
2 weeks
2 weeks
Dupytren’s fasciectomy
2-3 weeks
3-4 weeks
3-4 weeks
8-12 weeks
8-12 weeks
Finger arthroplasty
4-6 weeks
6-8 weeks
6-8 weeks
12 weeks
12 weeks
1
Fractured clavicle
2-6 weeks
2-6 weeks
6-10 weeks
10-12 weeks
12 weeks
Fractured finger
0-6 weeks
2
0-6 weeks
2
0-6 weeks
2
12 weeks
12 weeks
Fractured radial head, uncomplicated
1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks
2-6 weeks
6-12 weeks
12 weeks
Fractured scaphoid open reduction and fixation
4-6 weeks
4-6 weeks
8-12 weeks
After union
After union
Fractured wrist non-dominant
1 week
1 week
8-10 weeks
12 weeks
12 weeks
Fractured wrist dominant
8-10 weeks
8-10 weeks
8-10 weeks
12 weeks
12 weeks
Finger fusion
1-6 weeks
2
1-6 weeks
2
1-6 weeks
2
12 weeks
12 weeks
Ganglion surgery
3-7 days
1 week
1-2 weeks
4-6 weeks
4-8 weeks
Hand tendon repair
6-8 weeks
8 weeks
8-10 weeks
12 weeks
12 weeks
Metacarpo-phalangeal joint arthroplasty
4 weeks
4-8 weeks
4-8 weeks
12 weeks
3
Unlikely
Pisiformectomy
2-3 weeks
3-4 weeks
3-4 weeks
6-12 weeks
8-12 weeks
Scaphoid non-union bone graft and ORIF
4
6 weeks
6-12 weeks
6-12 weeks
12 weeks+
12 weeks+
Scapho-lunate ligament reconstruction
6 weeks
6 weeks
8-12 weeks
12 weeks
12-26 weeks
Shoulder arthroscopy (no additional procedures)
3-7 days
3-7 days
3-7 days
1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks
Shoulder subacromial decompression
1-3 weeks
2-6 weeks
4-8 weeks
6-12 weeks
6-12 weeks
Shoulder subacromial decompression with debridement
4-6 weeks
4-6 weeks
6-8 weeks
8-12 weeks
8-12 weeks
Shoulder rotator cuff repair
2-12 weeks
4-12 weeks
12 weeks
3-6 months
6-9 months
Shoulder biceps tendonotomy
5
1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks
4-8 weeks
6-12 weeks
6-12 weeks
Shoulder acromio-clavicular joint excision
6
1-3 weeks
3-6 weeks
3-12 weeks
12 weeks
12-26 weeks
Tennis elbow surgery
1-2 weeks
1-4 weeks
2-6 weeks
6-26 weeks
12-26 weeks
Trapeziectomy
4
4-6 weeks
4-6 weeks
6-8 weeks
12-26 weeks
12-26 weeks
Trapezio-metacarpal fusion
4
6 weeks
6 weeks
6-8 weeks
12-26 weeks
12-26 weeks
Trigger finger surgery
1-3 days
1-3 days
3-5 days
2-4 weeks
4 weeks
Ulnar head excision
4
2 weeks
2 weeks
4-6 weeks
12-26 weeks
12-26 weeks
Ulnar osteotomy
4
6 weeks
6 weeks
6 weeks
12-16 weeks
12-16 weeks
Wrist arthroscopy (no additional procedures)
1-3 days
1-3 days
3-7 days
7 days+
7 days+
Wrist fusion
6-10 weeks
6-10 weeks
10-12 weeks
12-16 weeks
unlikely
Return to physically demanding work may not be possible
Depending on which finger
Return to heavy and physically demanding work unlikely unless the remainder of the hand is functioning normally
For dominant hand use.
Long head of biceps is cut to release worn tendon, may create 'popeye' appearance. No requirement for immobilisation.
May be safe to drive after one week, work above shoulder height after three weeks, sustained overhead activities after three months, breast stroke as soon as comfortable, front crawl after three months.
Related content
Shoulder dislocation
Fractured radial head
Close
About Us
Medical Director - Dr Tony Williams
How we use your information - data protection and the GDPR
Contact us
Occupational Health Services
Health surveillance
COSHH
Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS)
Noise
Lead
Asbestos
Radiation
Pre-employment assessment
Immunisations
Mantoux
Sickness absence
Employee and patient information
Employer's guide
What is 'evidence'?
Statistics
Journal quality
Undertaking a literature search
Study types
Secondary review studies
Study grading
Fitness for work after surgery
Principles for recovery after surgery
What is meant by 'fit for work' after surgery?
Wound healing
Strength of materials used to close or support structures
Age and surgical recovery
Diabetes and recovery from surgery
Obesity and recovery from surgery
Smoking and recovery from surgery
Breast surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery
General and abdominal surgery
Gynaecological surgery
Gynaecological procedures
Head and neck surgery
Ophthalmic surgery
Orthopaedic surgery - lower limb
Orthopaedic surgery - spine
Orthopaedic surgery - upper limb
Shoulder dislocation
Fractured radial head
Urological surgery
Vascular surgery
Medical evidence
Respiratory conditions
Asthma
Asthma and Obesity
General evidence
Physical fitness
Physical fitness testing
Population mortality rates
Musculoskeletal conditions
Osteoporosis
Backs
Knees
Hips
Neurological conditions
Mental Health
Common Mental Disorders
Endocrine conditions
Diabetes
Diet
Unexplained and exaggerated symptoms
Chronic pain
DSM 5 Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
The consultation for unexplained symptoms
Infectious disease in OH
Hepatitis C infection
Hepatitis B infection