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Sleep position after the THR

Posted , 11 users are following.

jenniferLouise
jenniferLouise

I am having THR later this year and have found this forum invaluable, BUT I am confused!  Many people say they find it very difficult to sleep, I presume because of the post op pain, many say they find it difficult to sleep on their back.  I am a side sleeper usually so the thought of weeks(?) trying to sleep on my back fills me with dread.  Other people have said you may sleep on the 'good' side after the op.  Can anyone clarify this for me please?  Lord help my poor husband if I'm unable to get my eight hours each night, bear with a sore head doesn't come close!

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    In my case by the time I left hospital I had very little or no post op pain. The difficult bit for me has been sleeping on my back, in order to ensure that you do not turn in the night and break the cardinal rules of post op movement a pillow is recommended between your legs. This means that not only are you sleeping in an unaccustomed position but cannot wriggle around. Some surgeons recommend sleeping on one side or the other but usually with a pillow between the legs. I have heard that some people sleep in reclining chairs for the first couple of nights. As with much else in life adaption happens, at 18 days I can sleep for around 6 hours at a stretch at night. Usually a nap in my armchair during the day
    • ruthannfox
      ruthannfox maggie93798

      Posted

      Hi Maggie the first 4weeks I slept on my recliner then when back to bed made hubby sleep in spare room while I had all bed to myself got used to sleeping on my back now at 12weeks sleep better on my back than either side but no pillow needed now .i used to be able to sleep 8hours before op now back to it but with pp in between 😊
  • jan24212
    jan24212 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer,

    I am day 11 post op and the advice I was given was sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees for at least 6 weeks, it is hard. I sleep normally on my side and have tried on my good - ie unoperated side with a pillow between knees with no success at all. Way too painful. However I have read of people on this site who are able to sleep on their good side and even on the operated side as well in a few cases. We are all different.

    I wake a lot and yes it is hard. Keeping up your pain relief will help.

    Good luck

  • susan57233
    susan57233 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    I'm in week 7 of recovery and last night was the very first night I was finally able to sleep in my bed. Usually I go to bed but withing 2 hours or less I have to get up and move around, then I'm in the recliner trying to get a few hour more sleep. I don't know why this is, I always was a great sleeper, could fall asleep and stay asleep. Something changed after my surgery and I hope it eventually subsides soon.   
  • renee01952
    renee01952 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hello ... I bet it is discouraging to read the sleepless nights stories - I feel that there might be something else that either keeps us awake or makes us wake up so many times than laying on our back ... While in the hospital I was given a poillow to put between my legs so I could sleep on my non-operated side - as long as I positioned it in a way that it doesn't fall over the other leg - fiddling around, I am telling ya .... but I still had and have interupted sleep - in the beginning I also had very frequent trips to the loo - 

    funny though ... prior surgery I couldn;t sleep due to the pain, but that is GONE ...might not be comfy yet but still -- as said, I can always nap during the day ... Don't worry too much JenniferLouise - warm regards

    renee

  • tracy54947
    tracy54947 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    My sleep gone to pot too. I could sleep anytime anywhere! Find I'm not as active so guess don't need as much sleep. Can sleep a few hours on my back with various configurations of pillows but usually wake up needing to move. Can sleep on my good side with pillows between legs but find can only tolerate for an hour or so. Everybody will be different. It stressed me out initially but if I'm extra tired during the day just have a wee nap!
  • Lama22
    Lama22 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Before my op I always slept on my side. coukdnt imagine sleeping on my back but did and didn't find it a problem. I think my brain kicked into protection mode! I did buy a memory foam mattress and had a pillow under my knee of the operated side, Positioned so I couldn't cross my ankles.

    I was told at my 6 week check I could sleep on side again with pillow between knees. Did this last night and was fine.

    But then I've always been a good sleeper!

    In early days had tingling in my thighs which was a bit uncomfortable. This is going off now, probably nerves healing.

    Good luck with it all. Keep posting

    Best wishes

    Barbara x

  • miele55255ch
    miele55255ch jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer!

    I was able to sleep on my side after my 2 week follow up appointment. The only stipulation was that i sleep with a pillow between my legs. It's worked out well but often I wake up and I'm on my back because my hip must get stiff through the night. 

    So Just ask your doctor about sleeping on your side first.

  • mary5832
    mary5832 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi J.L.:

    You really don't need another perosn telling you their story but, I am 7 weeks Post Op.  my Dr.'s appt was delayed until this Thursday when he is on a near by local town (saves a 4 hour trip there and back).  I'm hoping he tells me I can now sleep on my side .  Because I've been doing it anyways with a pillow between my legs supporting me from knee to ankle.  I have had no Post - Op pain, Thank goodness! 

    Well, after your surgery I think, YOU will know when, you ARE able to sleep on your side, Listen to your body!

     

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise mary5832

      Posted

      Thank you Mary, all comments really appreciated.  I guess I will just have to see what is comfortable for me as you say, listen to your body.  My problem is that I have a curvature of the upper spine, I look very round shouldered.  If I lay flat my spine will only come into contact with the surface up to a point then my head and neck are unsupported ( hope you are understanding this as is a bit difficult to explain). Even when I have dental treatment I always have to take a neck support as I just can't lie on the couch properly.  The only time I have slept on my back was in hospital as an emergency admission and then I was in a bed which could be adjusted to raise your legs etc.  I could not lie on either side as I had lines in both arms.  I could sleep because I was almost in a sitting position.  I gues I will have to get more pillows to prop myself up.  Boy, I am so not looking forward to this aspect of recovery.hope it will all be worth it in the end.
    • mary5832
      mary5832 jenniferLouise

      Posted

      Hi JenniferLouise:

      Don't worry, they will accomodate you what ever you need.  And, do mention on admittance into the hospital to the nurse that greets you about needing whatever you need to sleep well.  A hospital bed can be raised at either end I'm sure they have many "Paitients Like You" there.

      Nurses are there for you comfort.  

      You'll be fine, they have all forms or hurt to look after!!

      Best of Luck,

       

  • lindabowles
    lindabowles jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi. Sleeping is def a bit difficult in the first few weeks. I think we all find it hard staying on your back all night and that's what wakes you is when you would normally turn over. If you sleep on good side you must have pillow between your knees to keep operated leg in correct alignment. Although I only used to get a couple of hours at a time, you catch up during the day as you wil be very tired anyway. It's gets better each day. Don't over think it too much. Just listen to your body. Good luck x
    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise lindabowles

      Posted

      Thanks Linda.  I have had arthritis for over twenty years and at one point I had loads of acupuncture. I was told then to put a flattish pillow between the legs as this helps reposition the hips, so I'm very used to this idea.  I am toying with the idea of a bed downstairs at home so that I can get up and watch telly or read during the night if I can't sleep.  I really want to tackle stairs asap after the op as my bathroom is upstairs.  Having an all over wash in the downstairs cloakroom does not appeal.  Just hope it all worth it.  Almost everyone says it is but there are exceptions to every rule, hope I'm not one of the exceptions.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    You are at the right place !!!! when do you have your thr surgery ?   we do alot of sharing, as I am sure you found out - all positive in spite of our moaning - 

    have a good night and may your sleep be healing ....

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