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Sleeping after hip replacement

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rachel57914
rachel57914

I'm 44 years old and had a hip replacement 10 days ago, I'm having real difficulty sleeping on my back . My recovery has been good , my wound is healing well ,I'm walking on 1 crutch now and doing exercises regularly. I'm just so tired from not sleeping at night and find that in napping in the day . Any ideas on sleeping .

15 likes, 174 replies

174 Replies

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  • mkwins63
    mkwins63 rachel57914

    Posted

    I had hip replacement 4 weeks ago.  I feel I am doing well, but have be getting depressed.  I was hoping to be off my cane soon. When I go without it for short periods of time I walk funny  with a hitch.  It this normal at 4 weeks post op?  I also have been having trouble sleeping since I stopped my pain medication this past week.  I feel so tired during the day even when I get sleep.  I am 51 years old and was hoping to recover faster.
    • milliejean
      milliejean mkwins63

      Posted

      You sound normal! 4 weeks isn't long...it will get better but I understand what you mean as you can see from my post...I'm disappointed in myself but everyone else seems to think I'm doing well! We're all different but sometimes need the patience to go with being a 'patient'! Hope you keep improving, don't lose heart....I also had a very low time but it's passed now. 
  • milliejean
    milliejean rachel57914

    Posted

    Hi, I'm glad I found this forum after randomly searching for information on recovery after a total hip replacement operation. I had my right hip replaced on 25th July....that's what 12 weeks now, nearly 3 months and I'm disappointed at my progress but should I be? Reading the comments here I could hardly move for the first few weeks, swollen legs, pain, horrible but slowly the recovery began. When I saw the surgeon at 6 weeks he asked me to stand on one leg (I was tempted to say I'm not a stork) but no chance, besides which I'm a lefty and my right side is my weak side anyway. 

    I can walk ok with one stick now and everyone seems pleased with my progress...except me! I can't walk 'normally' without a stick and even have to use one in the kitchen. My gait is very lopsided, and feels awful.

    I'm concerned as I'm starting to get pain in my left ankle would you believe so I know I'm not walking properly, leaning too heavily on my left leg and stick!

    I'd be very grateful for any excercises that have helped with this (I'm doing the ones shown on a link here suggested by the physio's) and I apologise for the long post but glad to know I'm not alone. Oh & I've just turned 70....so not a youngster smile. thanks.

    • christine92783
      christine92783 milliejean

      Posted

      Hi milliejean, i,m about the same stage as you, had mine on the 28 th july, so we are about 3 months, i am trying to walk further each time i go out without the stick, but after a while like you i start to go a bit lop sided, dont forget we arnt youngsters now so progress can be slower than say someone younger, dont be concerned that your not doing as well as you think you should be as its a slow healing process, i feel quite pleased at how im doing but still get frustrated at having to keep having to use my stick, hang in there girl, it will get better and better , think of next summer, as we did miss out a bit on this years one so something to look forward to, all the best chris biggrin
  • kathlyn72890
    kathlyn72890 rachel57914

    Posted

    I can only sleep on my back also with pillows under my knees after hip replacement.  It is very hard to sleep because I have so much pain in both legs and my back.  I am 49.  My pelvis was shifted a lot and my non surgery leg is 1.3 inches shorter than my new hip leg.  The legs are technically equal length but my pelvis is tipped.  I am three weeks post op and praying for pain relief.  I think this may be why there is a lot trouble sleeping because pelvic tip happens in varying degrees do to degeneration of the bad hip prior to surgery.  I am going to PT and they are working on stretching my muscles and shifting my pelvis so I don't limp.  It is normal to sleep weird now I guess.  Night time is the worst.  But it is supposed to improve.
    • sharon09126
      sharon09126 kathlyn72890

      Posted

      HI I am 51 and I am on hip replacement  2 I have done my second hip replacement  both joints  with  in 4 month  I am now 21 days  with  my new  hip and my back my knee's  I am in so mush pain I can only sleep  on my back  and when it comes to  my pelvis  it shared  so I am now me tell there as well to hold my hips the new joint  that is sopose to  go in to the bone when they started to  drill the hole to place the new hhip broke  in to pics so my hole leg from hip to ankle is me tel when I found out it broke  my heart  I am now metel from hip to ankle to pelvis to knee so I know your pain  I need to sleep but can't I need to sleep on my side but can't I am still waiting to  heal from my first sergery that is my right hip but I have a very bad limp and don't know what to do about it 
  • kathee58019
    kathee58019 rachel57914

    Posted

    Rachel,

     I'm guessing you're off the narcotics because they usually knock you out at night. I stopped the meds at two weeks and had the same problem. I took a generic Tylenol PM to help me sleep for a few nights. Now after 7 wks, I toss from side to back with pillow between my legs but I am getting used to it and sleeping better most nights. I plan to give up the pillow at 12 wks and get comfy again.

    Hang in there,

    Kathee

  • francoise87684
    francoise87684 rachel57914

    Posted

    In a weird way it's good to know I'm not the only one with this problem! I am having real trouble sleeping, THR was one week ago.  But I guess it's early days yet
  • Mary8610
    Mary8610 rachel57914

    Posted

    Hi just joined this site . Had my op two weeks ago . Getting on well but incredibly tired ! Is this normal?
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure rachel57914

    Posted

     You are doing so well. Congratulations. I was 42 when I had my first on done. It's was a lot easier on me than in my sixties. 

    Sleeping on UR back is very important for the implant to heel properly and the bone to grow onto the implant and stabilize. 

    i had to try many OTC sleeping aids till I finally asked my GP FOR A script. Sleep is a major factor for healing  so if u can contact UR doc ask for a script . It will be so much better to bet a good nights sleep. 

    A 3 time THR

    HOPE confused

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure rachel57914

    Posted

    Sleep is very important for heeling. It OTC SEeping aids haven't helped then ask UR doc for something temporary.

    its always a issue sleeping after THR . It's miserable on UR back for weeks. It's essential for the bone to knit well to the implant. It takes time for bone growth and to stabilize the components of the implant

    Your doin great!

    3 time THR

    HOPE

  • peter95035
    peter95035 rachel57914

    Posted

    After both my hip replacments I used a Slumber Support to guard against a dislocation; but am now 4 months after the 2nd one and have been having real trouble sleeping, continually being woken by an aching sensation in the hip rather than pain as such. Paracetemol made no difference, nor did a matress topper which was far too hot. Rather than go to the expense of buying a new and softer matress, my wife had the bright idea of buying 4 walled Dorma pillows (down like)  which she sewed together. This gives just the right combination of support and softness, and a great night's sleep. A cheap solution which I thoroughly recommend.

    Peter, York

  • kailapotter
    kailapotter rachel57914

    Posted

    Hi, I had my total hip replacement and lengthening 3 weeks today and I am only 15. :-) I am having trouble sleeping on my back and I don't really know how I am allowed to possition myself in bed without putting pressure on the wound. Do any of you have any tips and tricks for me??
    • Mary8610
      Mary8610 kailapotter

      Posted

      You poor thing having it done so young ! It is a pain ha ha sleeping on back but you can get used to it . I slept with head and feet slightly raised it was too painful to lay on wound . 7 weeks tomorrow so do lay on unoperated side with pillow between legs but that's very hot . Actually finding it better on my back now .  Good luck x 
    • kailapotter
      kailapotter Mary8610

      Posted

      Thank you, surprisingly there is no real pain which is weird after all the pain before. I have actually had the bad hip since I was born but it is nearly over now which is amazing. Thank you for the tips. Although I seem to be waking up on my good side and on my front so I might have to pillow up
    • Mary8610
      Mary8610 kailapotter

      Posted

      If you are pain free you can put up with sleeping on your back I am sure x
    • cathie38426
      cathie38426 kailapotter

      Posted

      Welcome to our youngest hippy! I haven't read about

      legthening before. Did your consultant explain what

      recovery pattern you could expect?

      How do you get comfortable in the day? 

       

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