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It literally will not affect you career wise. You have to take that time and people will respect it. Also, you don’t have to tell them how it happened if you don’t want to. Come up with a different story (lol coming from another young but now old feeling junior associate).
You also might be able to schedule PT in the morning before work. I had to go to cardiac rehab pre-pandemic and I just went before work, so nobody even knew.
Oh that’s even better! And I’m sure they’re supportive if that’s the case.
Get the medical care you need to recover. That comes first. If your firm has a problem with that, it’s time to lateral. The lateral market is on fire. Not that you need to leave bc you’re having a health issue, but if you’re getting a hard time for taking care of it, then it is time to consider options.
Couldn’t agree more!
Chief
At the risk of identifying myself to people who know me, I tore a ligament right before starting as a first year. I needed surgery and spent a year going to PT before work in the morning. I was the first year that had partners visiting my office instead of making me come to them. 🤦♀️
It had zero effect on my career. The only effect it had on my reputation is that occasionally someone makes a crack that I’m clumsy. Get your surgery, get your PT. Your ability to walk without pain is far more important than whatever you’re worried will happen. And unless the people you’re working with are monsters they will agree.
Don’t be scared. They’ll accommodate either way. Don’t worry about being the only woman being an issue. These things can happen to anyone. I tripped over my foot and needed two surgeries on my ankle! Our stupid heels are the problem...though I have tripped in flats lol
No one needs to knoe how you got injured. People get injured all the time and take some time for rehabilitation. I am sure partners have dealt with this themselves. I would not overthink this and focus on healing and getting well. I hope your recovery is smooth!
I think you should tread very carefully, and I say this not because it’s “right” but because unfortunately I had a very similar experience. Shortly after having joined a new team (same firm but on a rotational program) I had a health issue that flared up and directly impacted my ability to do my job. The doctor asked me to take 2 weeks off to recover (I spent lots of time working remotely from home) - I also had to do PT twice weekly following my sick leave. The partners held it against me and hated me for it for the rest of my time with that team, and treated me really badly. Luckily it was only six months so I was able to quickly move on from this absolutely unacceptable and toxic environment, but I’d just caution you to tread carefully. This really shouldn’t be the case because your health should always be a priority, but unfortunately, some teams and people are extremely shitty. I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t prioritise your own well-being, but if you have someone inside the team you can trust to talk about it with and see how it might be perceived for your specific firm/team, that might be best. I wish you the best of luck and get well soon 💕
I was at a firm where we had a rash of injuries that lead to PT for a bunch of associates and a few partners one year (most of them training for marathons and the like, mine was just from having bad knees). Several of us went to the same doctors and PT clinics. It was not a big deal at all. Don't worry about it, just go, do your PT and get better.
Pro
I had a broken knee and ankle my 2L summer. Find a PT place that does 7 or 8am appts. Lots do. You'll be fine!
I tore my meniscus this year and took two days off for the surgery and worked from home for two weeks. I scheduled my PT for 7am. My boss was very accommodating, and it had no impact on my career. You have to put your health first. My knee was extremely painful, but I’m back to running again now. Don’t wait to do what you need to do for yourself.
I tore my ACL, MCL and LCL and had surgery when I was around 2 PQE (5 years ago). It was a particularly busy time in my team, so my crutching around and ducking out between 10pm and midnight was definitely noticed, but people tried to be understanding and it has had no long term impact on me in the team.
My top bits of advice are: ask if the firm can cab you to and from work when you need to be in, get a good backpack (crutches make a handbag very difficult), and once you have got over your initial PT sign up for a sports injury focussed personal trainer to keep you moving in a way that is responsible given your injury, but less boring than PT.
Good luck, and take the time you need to recover!