Sleeping on Recliner

I hated sleeping on my back but after the first week got used to it, sort of. With the pain it was a case of a few hours at a time, wake up for an hour then another few hours. The days go by fast and at 4 weeks I was sleeping on either side, you just adapt slowly. Use a long bolster or pillow between your legs to prevent crossing them. There is some pain where the operation took place but now at 6 weeks it's all gone and I am sleeping normally.

Forget sleeping on a reclining chair. I used a recliner during the day for an hour at a time just to mix up the routine but your bed with lots of pillows is far better. 

Time goes by so quickly and pain has no memory so stop worrying, accept that you will have some discomfort for a short period and it will soon pass.

Recliners are great, BUT, they're all too low for a THR patient.

I made a wooden base to raise my recliner - see my website - which made it into my favourite chair.

 

Hi Pete,

I've been on a recliner 7 of the 8 weeks. No problem.  If you feel sore in the morning, I suggest you take 2 Tylenol.

Regards,

Steve

I bought a recliner before my op and raised the seat with a cushion. I slept in it a couple of odd nights when there was no way to get any sleep in bed. Overall it was worth me buying one apart from when the house electricity went off and I was stuck in it and had to climb out over the arm !! 🤔

Dear Monkeypearl - I'd already been sleeping in a recliner for three years before my THR, because the pain my old hip caused me made it impossible to sleep on my side (my preferred position for over 60 years) or flat on my back. And my weight makes stomach position impossible. The important thing is to have a recliner that fits you properly. I'm 5' 11" and hefty. The recliner that my 5' 2" sister-in-law loves would leave me all bent out of shape & in agony. I was lucky enough to get a hand- me- down recliner/lift chair that fit me properly just a few months before my THR (which was 3 weeks ago). These recliners are expensive, but are available in several sizes based on your height and weight. (My sister-in-law, for example has a Petite Wide. Mine, though the same brand, is very different. Higher seat, deeper seat for my long legs, and higher back as well. I'm perfectly comfy in it with my new hip. I may try sleeping in a bed again someday, but not until I'm sure the whole healing/ rehab process is really complete. And by the way, these power recliners have battery backup to return them to seat position in case of power loss. Mine uses a regular little 9 volt alkaline battery. You can't run it on the battery, but it's enough to get you to unreclined position so you can get out of it.

I wonder - it might even be possible to rent one to try it out.

P.S. I would strongly suggest that you NOT get a rocking recliner.

I had the posterior approach and after about a week when I could not take the bed and did indeed sleep in a recliner for several hours. 

It will get better 

You can sleep in a recliner if that is most comfortable for you. Just make sure the recliner fits you and your knees are not higher then your hips. I put a cushion in mine and use it during the day. I have an adjustable bed so when I get uncomfortable on my back I just adjust it a bit to a new position. Other ideas are a big body pillow you can drape your good leg over or snuggle into a bit. A row of pillows on one side has almost the same effect. I always slept on my side for 70 years but now I am used to sleeping on my back and always end up there even if I start out on my side. I am almost 6 months post op. I can sit on most furniture comfortably but the night we ate out at one of those pub tables, my hip ached for two days afterwards. It needs support for quite awhile. I can now use non-handicap toilets though - yeah! Just wish walking were easier. I still get pain in thigh and knee when walking much so still use my cane. I hope someday to not need it and to walk with no discomfort. It takes a year to fully heal so hopefully that day will come.

Hi Monkeypearl!

I have no trouble sleeping on my back.  On my operated leg, I have a swollen foot,   I’ve been advised to keep the four raised above my heart.  The recliner does the trick.  I see no bad features.

Pete.

When you sort out which hospital you are going to have your op at, send me a PM.

If you chose Spire, I can let you have all of the details that I was not privy to when I went in. There is so much I wish I knew prior to my admission. Nothing that affects the success of the operation but rather to do with routine at the hospital and discharge.

I had my 6 week review yesterday and the surgeon put my leg through positions it could not do before. He actually showed an interest in the operation he carried out (including his stitching) and we discussed the post op X rays in depth. I am booked in for another review after Xmas and X rays to check on bone and muscle growth, followed by a final check up in one years time I have not heard of NHS hospitals doing this sort of follow up so I am impressed.

Please keep us informed.

Tony

Hi Pete

I already had a recliner. Truth is....for me I find it uncomfortable and now spend a lot of time sitting on my bed during the day. I find the firmer surface makes me ache less both while resting and then walking.

I tried really hard to sleep on back but just couldn't so slept on unoperated side with pillow between the full length of my legs (including ankles so foot didn't turn in) from very early on. From 6 weeks I was able to sleep on operated side.

Sandra

Everyone is different.  I bought a recliner that fit me before my surgery.  I actually am much more comfortable sleeping in the recliner.  I’m at 23 days post op and am trying to transition myself back in my bed.  For me, the recliner saved me.  Those first couple weeks were not comfortable at all in bed.  

Good Luck~