Sleep

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591

How long ago since your TKR? Even now, after 15 months, I have to sleep on my back. I'd love to sleep on my right side but after 5 mins it throbs. Suggest you get used to it. Or take a pill. I do now and again. Cetrazine works for me. Do whatever you can to get 7 hrs sleep.x

I found sleeping on back best. It will get better with time. Cannot remember off top of head what stage you are at in terms of weeks.

I did everything what I wasn't supposed to do I put a pillow lengthwise under my tkr took all painlillers iced whilst in bed and after 4 weeks finally got 6 hours sleep now I can sleep on my side 4 months since tkr

I've slept on my side from the word go, couldn't and never slept on my back, right knee replacement, slept on left side put right leg  Over left leg straight and managed well with out pillows, bliss, trial and error to what suits I suppose, sleep is so important,was told not to sleep on side but doesn't seem to have had any ill effects five months on, although still battling a bit with stiffness and swelling😩 Onwards and upwards!!

As time passes, you will be able to sleep in normal positions. Keep being patient. It takes time: I am a year out of bilateral knee replacement and have been able to sleep in any position for months. It will continue to get better.

Lack of sleep is terrible. I've always been a poor sleeper & slept on my side. Always more comfortable & backnpain was worse on my back. Amazingly so, although the pain meds haven't worked for me, they must relax me enough that I got used to sleeping on my back.

I agree that sleep is very important so do anything you can, including asking for sleeping pills. Ambien works well for me.

Hang in there barry-it does get better. I was pulling my hair out at four weeks due to lack sleep but at six weeks things began to change. Like you, I preferred to sleep on the same side as tkr but found it most uncomfortable. I spent many mights on a recliner than I moved to a single bed and found by placing pillows behind me up against a wall and leaning back against it a vast improvement. At the six week mark a lot of things improved including sleep. At six months I often have to remind myself I've had a tkr-I feel so good. Four weeks is still early days barry-try warm showers, reading, playing music etc before settling down for the night-anything to take your mind off your sleeping problem -good luck.

Hi Barry!

Sleep! Ah, yes! 😴💤💤💤

For me, having LOTS of pillows and a soft fleece blanket helped A LOT early on. I was able to smoosh pillows, shove them around to create what felt comfy and grab an hour or two of rest. My fleece blanket smooshed good, too. Just having the softness near my face and neck helped me drop off to sleep for awhile.

I bought some microfiber sheets and pillowcases last year. SO, SO SOFT! With the VERY soft sheets, lots of pillows and my fleece blanket, getting at least several hours of sleep is quite nice!

My arthritis in other parts of my body makes seven or eight hour continuous sleep impossible, but at least my KNEES don't hurt! (TKRs June and October 2015) I have found that several good hours of sleep then getting up, moving around, putting IcyHot roll-on on my lower back, having a nice cup of tea and reading a bit puts me back ready for another several hours of sleep.

Try not to worry about it. Sleep doesn't come easily when you worry!

Sending prayers of calm and REST to you today!??

I am 4.5 months post TKR. I still sleep with a pillow lengthwise under my right knee. Sleep was never a problem for me. Sleep and rest are of utmost importance as it gives your body a chance to concentrate on the healing. Best of luck to you. Why doctors do not allow the use of cannabis for medical uses is beyond me! In the 20s and 30s, it was sold in drug stores. I love the spray oils for pain relief.

OMG i was exactly the same, i found a pillow under the op knee worked great, it just cushioned it enough to relieve the pain, hope this helps.........but hang in there it DOES get better

I found that two pillows one under my knee and the other under my calfs and heels.  It helped me when I slept on my back.  Just make sure you don't put a pillow under your knee only.  Im a side sleeper too but the pillows helped make me comfortable.  I put a ice pack when I first laid down too.  

Now at 4 months I'm sleeping on my side again.  I think about a month ago I tried sleeping on my side with a pillow between my knees.  It really helps.  

I have never slept on my back , but when I had my first TKR it was difficult to sleep on both sides so I sport in my recliner. After second TKR I can sleep on both sides , however my side does hurt especially at the hip socket area. I know sleeping in a recliner isn't comfortable for many, but it help me a lot.