Sleeping on your side without a pillow between your legs
Posted , 15 users are following.
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
jen86183 Yoga_lass
Posted
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 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 Yoga_lass
Posted
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 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 Yoga_lass
Posted
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 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 Pennypops
Posted
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 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
Posted
Guest Yoga_lass
Posted
Guest Yoga_lass
Posted
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 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 Yoga_lass
Posted
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.
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 sussex531
Posted
Despite being encouraged to sleep in my good side I hurt too much