Sleeping

good morning Carol ... I put a pillow under my knees and I think it's fine - how thick is the pillow?   I also was allowed to lay on my non-operated side while still in the hospital as long as I kept the pillow between my legs ... how long ago was your operation?  sleeping, or the lack of it, seems to be one of the most challenging things post-op ... they frighten the hell out of you, don't they? probably for a reason .... I hope you will be able to catch some zzzzz's during the day ... big hug

Hi Carol

I have been doing exactly that for the last 3 nights, so effectively since being 9 days post op.

I am pretty sure your knees not being higher than your hips refers to when you are standing as that would break the 90 degree rule.  When doing the exercise on my bed which the PT told me to do I have to bring my foot towards my bum bending my knee, therefore making my knee higher than my hip.

I hope I am right because this has helped my sleeping a lot and it does not appear to be causing any adverse effects.

Good luck with your recovery.

Paula x

I certainly did and it made sleeping so much more comfortable.

I think it's preferred to allow the leg to stretch out overnight, to encourage the tendons to stretch. But my sleep was important and 9 weeks on I'm sleeping on my side with a pillow between my knees.

It would have to be a pretty high pillow to break the 90 degree rule so I wouldn't worry on that account.

My recovery is going well so it didn't do me any harm.

Good luck!

Barbara x

I put a pillow under my knees after 2 weeks and then reduced it to a rolled up towel.  I had no bad effects and it was a lot more comfortable for my back.  After doing that for a couple of weeks, I lay on my non-op side with a pillow between my legs, that was bliss!  You should be okay with a pillow under your knees if you are more comfortable in that position.

Hi Carole

I slept with my knees up as I couldn't sleep flat on my back, I'm now 15 weeks but I didn't seem to have an I'll affects from it, I told physio and she said it was fine.

there seems  to be conlicting info regarding which side you can sleep on. My physio advises that s long as you dont cros your legs and you dont feel diand scomfort, you can sleep on either side, op or non op hip. 

My biggest prblem at night is that i seem to need to have a wee every couple of hours. You have just settled into a comfortable sleep and the need to wee appears. 3-4 times a night.  I am two weeks post op tomorrow, and hoping that this stops soon. 

Ventured out into the big wide world of Seaford prom, lovely and flat, a couple of times this week. Just a couple of hundred yards, bit my goodness, walking withut pain ( ache - yes but no pain ) is fantastic.

Greetings I put the pillow length wise from my knees to heals. If you just put under knees your heals will get sore.hugs xxx

Hi Carol, group

Sleeping is so important for humans - andyes  the advice is confusing!

I'm 10 weeks post op now, and was simply told to sleep on my back if I could but otherwise use a pillow BETWEEN legs on either side for a couple of weeks - which is exactly what I did! and it seemed to work.

good luck!

mic

x