had thr on October 1st cant stand sleeping on my back for the past two weeks.

I am 10 weeks post op and had the same issue. I think most people complain about this. I found that having an extra pillow helped so that I was almost half sitting. Also, I ditched the pillow between my legs and rolled up a large bath towel and put elastic bands around it. It still stops you crossing you legs but, because it doesn't stick up into the duvet, it makes life a bit easier. If you have trouble getting your operated leg in and out of bed, hook a belt or dressing gown cord under the foot and lift the leg in and out. It's much easier and a lot less worrying. I recovered very quickly and am now back to normal apart from a little soreness really deep inside which is no doubt muscle and soft tissue still healing. You will also find you knee may swell and hurt somewhat. That's were all the trauma from the opeartion goes so don't worry if it happens. It soon goes. Good luck with your recovery. I hope it goes as well as mine.

I have to agree, its a problem that most of us have. Chin up, its not for ever. You can try putting a pillow behind your back so you are tipped just a little to the side. Make sure you are even, not twisted. Trick your brain.

D

I hated sleeping on my back, but it's not for ever. I used to get to sleep ok, and then wake up a few hours later feeling really stiff. Then I used to prowl around on my squeaky crutches and try to loosen up again. Some hospitals are more flexible now, might be worth checking to see if you are allowed to sleep on your side.

• I am a week post op. I was told i could sleep on my unoperated side as long as I put a pillow between my legs. I also have to be careful not to bring my operated hip too far forward. I have tried it and found it ok but always seem to find myself back on my back so i must be more comfortable on my back.
• I was told that it is a new idea that some surgeons recommend.
• It might be worth chatting with your medical professionals to see if they approve of it.
• I hope you get some sleep soon.
• Best wishes
• Linda

If you can sleep on your non- operated side, Amazon sells, Milliard Wearable Knee Cushion | Pull-On Pillow Stays in Place | Removable Washable Cotton Cover. It is much better than using a regular pillow,because this one stays in place and has a price of $8.99.

Hello, I am a year and few months now, sleeping on my back was really difficult to get used to also, as I am a side or belly sleeper naturally. I bought a wedge cushion from Amazon and found it very helpful . I would say it took my about 4-6 weeks to be able to try sleeping on my right side with a pillow between my legs then eventually would try sleeping on my operated side but for only short periods of time and I was back on the wedge laying on my back. It takes a bit of time for the swelling to ease enough to be comfortable on the operated side, and not to discourage you but even today I find that sleeping for long periods on the operated side can be uncomfortable and find myself laying on my stomach with the operated leg straight and non operated leg bent to the side....good luck its definitely challenging to say the least.

Hiya, i too was thinking sleeping on my back was going to be a major problem, i purchased one of these big U shaped cushion, my wife made a very crazy cover for it, and I've had no problems at all with sleeping on my back. I know I'm not laying flat, but what the hell, if i can get some good hours in snooze land, that's what counts in my eyes. 😁👍

Best purchase i made Pre-Op, hope ya have a good recovery, keep us in touch...

Stay Safe & Stay Happy 😊

Pete

At the start of July, my hip replacement ceramic broke (put in wrong originally), and I had to spend 3 weeks on my back, without even getting out of bed BEFORE my revision operation, then another 6 weeks of sleeping on my back after the operation too!

Yes, I know just how it feels!

It seems like forever .... and it's the ONE thing we all seem to hate.

Stick with it, it's done for a good reason, to get the bone to knit into the new metalwork in the right alignment I am told.

Best wishes

Graham

Hi there,

I was a lifelong side sleeper pre - surgery, but thanks to the forum I knew in advance I would have to sleep on my back and practised for several weeks beforehand. In the first few weeks after graduating back upstairs to a double bed I slept at the other end of the bed so that I could lift my leg in easier with the loop thing they give you. Not sure my hubby was a fan of sleeping upside down though! Like all on here I only slept for short periods and struggled with a very sore heel due to the pressure on the mattress. Trying side sleeping was very uncomfortable both initially on the non - operated side, and then the operated side. Eventually things improved, and now I can sleep better on the operated side than the other side. Weirdly I find myself more often than not on my back on waking so I think it has become fairly normal, although it does make me snore!

At about this same time period, I started halfway sleeping on my stomach and side.

I took a fluffy comforter and folded it into thirds, and then grabbing my pajama pants to support my leg, I lifted the leg and I rolled over laying half on my stomach, half on my side, and placed my operated leg on the folded up comforter. The thing is, I kept my leg plane to my hip. My knee and ankle were on the same plane as the hip. The new stem with the ball on it stayed level inside my hip, it didn't angle either up or down. It stayed level because of the height of the folded up comforter.

It was scary to do it at first, but once I did it I realized I was not at risk at all. I was not going to be falling asleep and accidently rolling over as I was already half way on my stomach. It didn't hurt me at all and gave me about 4 hours of sleep instead of 2 hours of sleep, which is all I was getting sleeping on my back.

so hows the sleeping going,? im on day 6 and HATE sleeping on my back. i climbed in bed laying on my stomach and was thrilled until my reminder of what not to do stepped in. she has been great. I was wondering what your solutions were. thanks fred.