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Sleeping on your side without a pillow between your legs

Posted , 15 users are following.

Yoga_lass
Yoga_lass

Hi, I am 10 weeks post op and my physio told me at 8 weeks that I could sleep on my sides without a pillow between my legs. I was really thrilled as I have had  weeks of sleepless night, laying on my back, which in turn has given me a backache. I am still so nervous that I lay on my sides with the pillow and can't rest as I am still scared that I will roll over and dislocate  my hip. When has everybody been told that they can sleep safely on their sides pillow-less? 

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • jen86183
    jen86183 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    Hi Yoga lass,

    After my THR my fear was sleeping on my back, like everyone I am not sleeping all through the night. I would love to know at what week can you sleep on your side and if it is painful to sleep on your side when allowed to.

    • Tamra_G
      Tamra_G jen86183

      Posted

      My doctor ok'd side sleeping at 4 weeks. It was mildly uncomfortable the first few times but it got easier pretty quickly!

  • Tamra_G
    Tamra_G Yoga_lass

    Posted

    I was really nervous too, so I started with naps. I used a small thigh wedge that would kind of stay put, then pillows between my calves. I also put a pillow behind me to keep me in place.

    I was really aware of movement but was able to sleep pretty good after some trial runs.

    I believe its 12 weeks though when you can ease up on the precautions.

    Good luck...I can absolutely empathize with you .

  • Guest
    Guest Yoga_lass

    Posted

    Did you have anterior or posterior? Just cause  I had anterior so I'm not sure of the precautions for posterior.  For anterior our big precaution for 12 weeks is don't sleep on your stomach.  And for comfort sleep with a pillow between your legs when you sleep on your side.  I'm 7 weeks out from anterior and I am very comfortable sleeping on my side but only with the pillow between my legs.  It actually makes my hip sore if I try to sleep on my side without it.  So, if you had anterior you're totally safe to sleep on your side but I'd keep the pillow between your legs still if you have any discomfort. 

    If your dr. told you it's safe to sleep on your side then I would believe him.  I know how it is though. My physical therapist keeps giving me stretching exercises and even though she has decades of experience working with people with both anterior and posterior hip replacement I can't stop myself from asking with each knew stretching exercise, 'You know I had my hip replaced. Is this going to disclocate it?". 

    If you're nervous about it, you could try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs and a pillow in front of you and in back of you so you don't move in your sleep.  I actually had to do that the first two weeks because I was so sore it was the only way I could get comfortable was wedged in a cocoon of pillows.  But it also makes you feel safer too.

  • carolyn35191
    carolyn35191 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    I sleep on my tummy, and by 3 weeks I was automatically ending back on tummy. Was told I could slip on side straight after op as my surgeon’s hips do not dislocate! 

    Had my op on 3rd Jan - flying to Rome tomorrow for lots of walking, eating and drinking!!

    Hip replacement was the best thing I’ve ever done!! Oh and I had NO Physio!!

  • Pennypops
    Pennypops Yoga_lass

    Posted

    Hiya, I'm having my operation in June and the thought of having to sleep on my back is worrying...also I snore and it's going to drive my husband nuts...I really feel for you ..in sept last year I had a total knee replacement the nights following that were horrendous as the leg was so swollen and bruised and j was so tired ..

    • jen86183
      jen86183 Pennypops

      Posted

      Hi Pennypops,

      My husband has moved into the spare room whilst I recover from THR, leaving doors open so I can call him if I need him. I am packing myself around with pillows to stop me turning over. In hospital they gave us a triangular cushion for in between the legs, so one pillow I have tied the end to make it more that shape for there. I wake 2/3 times a night wanting to turn but I am not uncomfortable. For those of us who have had a posterior THR we need to make it as comfortable for as long as we are on our backs. Hope this helps you.

  • Jonesy23
    Jonesy23 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    My Dr is talking about doing the Direct Anterior procedure doing my hip replacement. What's all involved in this type of procedure?

    • Jonesy23
      Jonesy23

      Posted

      This is the same procedure my doctor is talking about did you get an answer for your question
  • Guest
    Guest Yoga_lass

    Posted

    I saw my specialist last week who said I could now sleep on my side (7 weeks) I have tried but initially the muscles in my side and chest pull so I feel I can’t get a proper breath. It does ease up but I have woken twice on my back. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since my op! 
  • Guest
    Guest Yoga_lass

    Posted

    I saw my specialist last week who said I could now sleep on my side (7 weeks) I have tried but initially the muscles in my side and chest pull so I feel I can’t get a proper breath. It does ease up but I have woken twice on my back. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since my op! 
  • penny08987
    penny08987 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    Well I'm 10 weeks and I've tried getting on my non op side at 8 weeks once it was pure agony so I haven't tried again lol

  • penny08987
    penny08987 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    Well I'm 10 weeks and I've tried getting on my non op side at 8 weeks once it was pure agony so I haven't tried again lol

  • bridget32982
    bridget32982 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    I have been side sleeping with a pillow till six weeks. I am allowed to side sleep with no pillow but am struggling slightly to stop using it. I get an ache in my hip sometimes which is relieved by the pillow. I have no fear of dislocation now, nine weeks today
  • sussex531
    sussex531 Yoga_lass

    Posted

    Hi All, first time poster, long time lurker.

    I thought i would share my experience of sleeping as a double hipster.

    I have been reading these forums for the last 6 months whilst under-going two hip replacements in November 2017 and now March 2018. Both were minimally invasive and performed at the Horder Centre in Crowborough, Sussex, UK. If you are in the South East of England and looking for a place to have your procedure, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

    Interestingly as this is a specialist orthopedic centre which basically only does hips and knees they have guidance which changes regularly - some of it even changed between my two operations. My consultant and the physio team both advised that I could sleep on my side when I felt comfortable to do so, with support between my knees to minimise the risk of dislocation. I would say that they prefer you to sleep on your operated side first, but I managed on my 'old new hip' first.biggrin

    I was able to sleep on my side after about 2 weeks after both operations. From a practical point of view, grabbing hold of the handle on my mattress to move your hip 'underneath' me and putting the pillow between your legs works for me and avoids a lot of the the discomfort of getting into a comfortable position. Health warning - this worked for me. It isn't advice!

    I'm 52 years old and 5 weeks tomorrow from my second operation, back to driving, work, walking short distances without a stick, largely pain free and sleeping really well. 

    • Guest
      Guest sussex531

      Posted

      I am delighted you have made such fantastic progress. My hip is less painful than my back and ribs. At five weeks I got a throat infection with high temperature. Sneezing and coughing have not aided my recovery pulling muscles! This was exascerbated by new anti biotics the GP gave me which made me nauseous and retch. In the last two weeks I am no further forward in fact I feel less well than pre infection . 

      Despite being encouraged to sleep in my good side I hurt too much

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