OA in knees and loosing my job

Dinocranks

Hiya all

I've just found this page and am hoping there's some help or advice that can be given. I lost my job (probation period ended) in May due to not being able to do all the duties of my role - I was a laboratory analyst (have been so for the majority of my working life - some 20years)

Since then I've been looking for work in a new career where I'm not on my feet or walking around as my OA has restricted my mobility. I'm finding it very difficult to find a job although I've applied for 200+ at present. I'm still interest in active roles, especially for the NHS (something I wanted to do when I was younger), but my knees will prevent me from doing these roles.

I keep wondering if using a wheelchair would be an option of my knees flared up again like they did when I was working at the lab. (I had an interview yesterday that was a very active role as a recruitment administrator which sounded like an amazing role, apart from being on my feet all the time)

Does it get better? Will I get a job that will be suitable for my knees? I don't qualify for PIP or other benefits and to be fair I WANT to work too - I'm going stir crazy at home. I want to be active again, but the knees are disagreeing with me. Surgeon has said I need new knees, but I do need to lose a lot of weight too (which I'm working on)

Is there any advice on how to find a role that would be suitable for me out there?

Sorry for the moan

noddingtonpete

Hello @Dinocranks and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have osteoarthritis in your knees and that your mobility is impacted and that this may lead to new knees, but in the meantime you are finding it difficult to get a job. I am sure that there are jobs out there which will be what you want and I hope that you get one soon. Have a look through the following form our website which I hope will be of interest.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/work/

and

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/knee-pain/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

With best wishes

Peter (moderator)