Enforced sleeping on your back after TKR
Posted , 8 users are following.
I'm due to have my 2nd TKR on January 7th and I'm not looking forward to a number of weeks of having to sleep on my back all night. I had my 1st TKR done last year and remember waking every morning with such a stiff and achy back I almost dreaded sitting up. I dont think its our mattress as it's not a cheap one and neither too hard or soft, plus we have a memory foam mattress topper on it too and it's usually comfy. Has anyone else suffered this and did they find a solution to this problem?
0 likes, 12 replies
JunieR kim2003is
Posted
Hi Kim, Ive just had my second knee done 6weeks ago. I keep reading this about sleeping on your back, but nobody mentioned that to me when i had my first knee done, nor was it mentioned with my present op.( I do know my husband was told this , but he had his hip done ) Needless to say, i didn't sleep on my back last time nor am i this time ! In fact its fair to say my knee is bent most of the time, but i do keep doing the straightening exercise, ( which was hellish to start with, but i just kept increasing the time as it got easier). I sit up on the bed with ankle resting on my prop & read a book to pass the time. My leg is very straight, although i shall continue to do this for some time, to make sure it stays that way. Maybe inquire about it when you have your op. Good luck.
jean02698 JunieR
Posted
I have had 3 TKRS...two on my left leg in the past year and I was able to sleep on my side with a very thin pillow between my knees. My last TKR i had an almost full leg brace for 3 weeks. My second TKR I slept a lot of the time on the couch. I had several pillows behind my head, leaned my back on the couch and a very small pillow under the ankle of the TKR. I kept my ipad with me and if i couldnt sleep ...put ear plugs in and watched NETFLIX. This really helped me take my mind off the pain. I'd fall asleep and wake up several hours later. I went through one NETFLIX series and dont remember most of it.
kim2003is JunieR
Posted
I only sleep on my back because its too painful or uncomfortable to sleep on my side or I'd be sleeping on it for sure. I found turning over to be a major operation and it was even more uncomfortable to sleep on my un-operated side. Maybe it would have been better if my good knee wasn't also in neeed of replacing and wasn't disturbing sleep as well...........
Gailelaine1962 kim2003is
Posted
i am seven wks postop. i had pillows at an incline with a wedge under my surgical leg. when i found that i could get comfortable without the wedge, i couldn't get comfortable lying flat, so i moved to the recliner. put pillows under my legs to make it flat and then would ice and massage my leg. i still wake every two to three hours in pain or need to toilet, but the backache isn't horrible and i do get a few hours of sleep. My mom had her knee done and she said it was a long time before she could lay in bed. So, give yourself some time. i do try every once in a while to lay in bed, it is usually only for a few hours and i'm back in the chair. Eventually i will get there and you will too. Don't throw out the bed yet. Best wishes.
Gail
pyesangel kim2003is
Posted
*****I had my left knee done about 5 years ago and never slept on my back. I sleep on my left side and that's the side I slept on when I had my TKR. I had no problems with my knee doing this, I also was able to roll over and sleep on my right side. No one told me any different or that I couldn't sleep on my left side. I guess you should try whatever is comfortable for you. *
kim2003is pyesangel
Posted
0@I tried sleeping on my side as soon as I could manage to get onto my side but even doing that was painful initially and actually staying on my side was impossible for a few weeks. It was even more uncomfortable to sleep on my non operated side which seemed odd. I've been very lucky with the rate at which I've healed and regained ROM and use of my leg but I think you were extremely blessed to have been able to sleep on your side straight away. I want whatever you were on at the time please @
pyesangel kim2003is
Posted
******Hi, I believe I was on Hydrocodone-acetamin when I had my TKR. I don't remember the dosage, but it was 1 tablet every 4-6 hours for pain. I only took it for about 2 weeks because it made me sick to my stomach. I then took Tylenol. I had a worse time when I had my left shoulder operated on. I HAD to sleep on my back for the six weeks my arm was in a sling. I can only go to sleep on my left side and being forced to sleep on my back, wasn't any fun. Not more than a couple hours a night. I'd rather have my knee done than have my shoulder. The shoulder was only being repaired, not replaced...the knee was a walk in the park compared to the shoulder. I've been told shoulder surgery is the worst and I believe them. Back to having a knee replaced, it is no church picnic, it is a LONG, SLOW process to full recovery. So many get frustrated because they don't think they are progressing fast enough. You have to remember that all the tendons, ligaments, muscles, were cut, the knee cap removed or pushed to the side. Then they literally saw, hammer and pound the replacement into place and then put back together. Don't get frustrated!!!!! Time is on your side and your friends are elevation and ice!!! Take it one day at a time and good luck with this knee.
kim2003is pyesangel
Posted
Hi! I think that medication is the same as our Dihydrocodiene and paracetomol in the UK. I was given one weeks worth of Tramadol at 1 tablet 4 x a day which wasnt much considering I'd been on twice the dose in hospital. Fortunately my pain level reduced very quickly and I coped on Zapain (Codiene and Paracetomol) as and when required. At 10 weeks post op I am now walking normally and functioning normally including usual sleeping positions. I do wake frequently as both knees don't like staying in one position too long and ache after a while to let me know. I know when I've done too much and take Zapain to relieve th aches as that is all they are, a bit of rest and I'm fine. Having my right knee done on 7th Jan and sincerely hoping it's as well behaved as the 1st one but I'm not going to hold my breath........ Happy new year!!!!!
Alice1947 kim2003is
Posted
Hi, I am over 12 weeks in after my right knee replacement. I too am finding it hard to sleep on my back. i have every type of pillow when i try to sleep on my side without success. I walk pain free which is fantastic and no pain killers. I still wake every 2 /3 hrs . I believe this is all part of the healing process which I feel will pass. I am eternally grateful to the surgeon who has given me back my ability to walk pain free, sometimes I forget i have had TKR which really is unbelievable...Patience is needed, plenty of exercise and ice....
kim2003is Alice1947
Posted
Hi Alice,
I found I could sleep on my side for short periods after about 4 to 5 weeks and am now able to sleep normally but still wake up through the night like you do. I think its every time I want to change position as stretching and bending knees after lack of motion is "uncomfortable", it's just the back ache I get whist I have to sleep on my back that I hate. Know what you mean about being able to walk pain free with normal motion too!!!! Good luck with your healing process!!
wolfv kim2003is
Posted
Have you tried sleeping supine on the floor (on carpet or Therm-a-Rest)?
kim2003is
Posted
Hi! Unfortunately sleeping on anything too firm will wreck my back even more regardless of position. I'm finding it's not too bad if I'm propped up a bit so sticking with that for now thanks.