Sleeping after hip replacement

17 days since op. Surprised at how quickly I am moving, now in house with little use of crutches. Very tired though and really need to follow the advice to sleep each afternoon. Kind friends take me out 2 or 3 times a week in morning for coffee whilst car sits there and tempts me (insurance void for 6 weeks apparently !!) hip exposed too. Given the advice to use 2 crutches or none as one twists body too much and leaves hip exposed to twisting too. Managing to sleep quite well propped up but poor husband banished to spare room. Also booked 4 weeks of cleaner as husband is doing quite enough with full time job as well. (Worst is having to get him to pull on my thrombosis stockings. Honest answers please - how long are you wearing them for ? ) Advice about lying on side seems different - we were told operated side only to avoid leg slipping over onto body, dislodging new hip - so some of my advice seems different from yours. Too painful still though as is lying on stomach. Quite like my high chair though in sitting room. Had catheter and forst two weeks had horribly, embarrassingly weak bladder so made sure bathroom was stocked with necessities and planty of pants - all about trying to keep some dignity - the things they dont tell you. Of course one problem is the length of time to get to toilet / get dressed / have a shower etc etc. But no complaints - I was virtually wheelchair bound prior to operation in so much pain, and now...... cant believe the difference.

Hi madam..well done you....you sound to have had similar experience to me...preop and then catheter related stuff...I'm now 15weeks..back at work now on phased return....and no hip pain...but back muscles still adjusting to spine realignment now hip sorted. Had same advice re laying on op hip...but could use a cushion to lay on unop side later. Didn't get to lay on stomach till 8 weeks. Just nicely now able to sleep in any position. Hubby returned to bedroom at about 6wks...!! I didn't leave Hosp till day 8 as I'll with medication...took 3 days to find which were to blame! I can now sleep with one pillow too. Back pain was all I got after op. Stockings off after 6 weeks...sad thing was I missed them as kept my legs warm out walking when it was cold. Wonder what age you are..I am 55 ..slim..and worked in care sector since 16...so I got shock about needing hip op so young...seemed to get worse very quick over 2 years but had trauma about 6 yrs ago. Hubby hated me using wheelchair in shops the month preop...but was so painful anywhere outside house to walk. Wishing you all the best...I feel 10 yes younger!!

Hi All, my op was 5 weeks ago today. I am 54 and the deterioration was rapid over the last 2 years. It is a relief to have my new hip. My wound is healing nicely, but I still seem to have internal bruising leaving the area is tender. Exercise is good. I can walk a mile but still with crutches. My problem is that from the first night I have had a bed sore on the foot of my operated side. The pain on my hip isn't too bad, but my heel is very sore and annoying. I have a cushion under my calf to try to stop the heel touching the bed. Sometimes it works. I am looking forward to lying on my side but is too sore at the moment.

Hi Kay....I was told at my 6 week review to do whatever was comfortable, now sleeping fine on both sides although op side still a bit sore (9 weeks since op )

I bought a body pillow from ebay which was great but now I only really need a square cushion to stop me crossing at the knees.

I know what you mean about sore heels...my best relief was knees bent with a rolled up towel under the knees...that way you can keep your feet flat on the bed......

If you're using Bio Oil on your scar massage it in for a while quite firmly to the hard bits...mine still sore in the deep tissue now and gets quite tender if I sit for too long......I've ditched both crutches this week and just using a folding stick for a bit of support outside...stairs still a bit slow though....keep up your exercises.......take care

Chris

Hi Kay,

I am 9 weeks post op now and am feeling great,but I had a really sore heel for about the first 4 weeks or so and had to use a pillow ,I tried all sorts of creams but nothing helped,only really improved once I could lay on side,and now is fine.My side around the op was also very tender but district nurse said it's just internal bruising,I used bio oil and massaged the scar,not sure if this helped bruising but softened scar.Now only have a bit of back ache when I get up from sitting, can swim and walk but have to avoid twisting.Hope yours gets better but think you'll just have to cope with it and keep taking painkillers,I took Ibruprofen 4 x a day even though Hosp said only 3 x but that last one at night helped me sleep,now don't take any pills at all.Good Luck,keep posting I'll watch out for you.

Kate

That's great Chris. My scar looks good after dissolvable stitches. I was wondering how soon I could start bio oil. My thigh is still swollen although not as bad as it was. I guess it will go down after a while. It seems more swollen after exercise, but I think it is better to keep exercising. Today I feel that I will soon be able to revert to a stick. I know what you mean about the stairs. I hurt my self a few days ago on the stairs but only a blip.

Use the bio oil as soon as you have no scabs...I had staples so used the oil about a week after they came out...quite soothing....swelling does go down..try an ice pack or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel....and try to keep the leg raised....we'll get back to normal in the end! I'm back at work in 2 weeks!!

Thanks Kate. I think you are right about waiting till I sleep on my side. I think I might try it for a while tonight. It does help to have a night cap before bed. But I know not to get dependent on that. I haven't taken painkillers for over a week now but think I will before bed tonight. I had my op in ireland. Nursing was brilliant and so was the hospital, but no aftercare whatsoever. It's good to hear what your nurse has said. I'm looking forward to starting to swim again next week. Thanks to you and Chris for encouragement. Isn't it brilliant not to have the pain that we had pre op!

Gosh Crissy, you look so young. There are obviously lots of young people who need hip replacements. I have been raising the leg but need to use ice more. Thanks for the encouragement to do this. Good luck getting back to work. I will be starting to look after the grandchildren again next week while my daughter is at work. Looking forward to that.

I might look young but I'm 63... must be the Manchester air!!!

Have you tried a bin bag on the bed to do your sideways leg movements....makes it easier...and to slide the knees bent and straight...try clenching the buttocks at the same time for added excitement!