5 days post op for partial knee replacement

In I had a tkr 10 weeks ago yes all very normal I managed to sleep on my side I use a pillow between my legs 

Mandy I am 15 weeks post and I struggle to lie on my back as my leg is not straight enough (I'm waiting for further surgery on this). I've lay on my side to sleep since the third day. I found a pillow between the legs helped. Sleep deprivation is the worst part in the first month. It leads to a lot of tears, which I'm sure most people on here will tell you. I've been crying today myself as I'm still nowhere near a normal life yet. I've gone full circle and now back chasing for another operation date.

Just try to sleep when you can. The sofa was a good place for me to doze off. This is a huge operation so your body will take a good while to recover.

This forum has been a lifesaver for me so keep coming on here.

Hi Mandy

Its fine to sleep on your side.  Put a pillow between your knees.  You might find it a bit sensitive against the mattress though, if you haven't got a memory foam mattress topper.

Patsy

1st TKR Dec 2012 2nd TKR Sept 2014

Tired and tearful, absolutely 100 per cent normal!  What a terrifble shock to the poor old body this is!!!  sleeping on your side  . . most people agree it's ok, and it's certainly better than the alternative. . not sleeping at all!  A pillow between the legs will help a lot. I found sleeping on top the operated leg was the best.  Quite difficult to roll over there to begin with . . . but I find sleeping on my back is totally impossible!  Sleep when you can. . even if it is morning, afternoon or evening!  Sleep is what eludes pretty well all of us!  You are at the lowest point now, so from now on, things will slowly get better!  It's a very up and down recovery, though, so odn't be disappointed when one really good day is followed by a bad one!  Glad you are home and safe, and while not enjoying yourself, at least on the road to recovery!

 

Hi, I'm 3weeks post op and I have only just started to get any decent sleep. I couldn't sleep on my back but was uncomfortable on my side , even with a pillow between my knees. Every time I moved, I woke up. My doctor gave me some mild sleeping tablets which I have taken since day 6 but for the last 2 nights I have only had half a tablet and have still slept about 5hrs. BLISS!! I am normally an 8hour sort of person. 

I too was very tearful when I came home and for several days I just burst into tears for no apparent reason but it happens much less now. I still find any exercise exhausts me, even just going up and down the stairs. But I definitely feel much better than I did at first, so believe me , things will get much better. 

Unfortunately, it's normal, especially when you consider the lack of sleep. It's a yucky place to be, but just remind yourself, it's not going to last forever. While I was in the hospital they encouraged me to try sleeping on my side. But because I had both knees done, it was nearly impossible to get comfortable without excrucuating pain. They told me move to my side and brace myself with pillows as was comfortable, just not to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees. Well, guess what, that was the only way I could get comfortable. So I did it in limited amounts. And then during the day have extra time to keeping my legs flat. Now (7 months later) I often sleep with a pillow between my knees. Two more weeks and you should see a nice shift that brings things to a bearable place.