Still can't sleep 13 months after hip replacement what to do
Posted , 13 users are following.
Hello everyone. This may sound a bit confusing because of the different dates and operations. I had posterior hip replacement on my right hip November 28th in 2016. November 21st 2017 I had left hip replacement. It has been 13 months for my right hip and 8 weeks since I had my left hip done. Both are posterior hip surgeries. I'm trying to get back into bed on my right hip that was replaced in 2016. But I'm still having discomfort. Just tried today for the first time to get into bed and take a nap. No luck. Just saw my surgeon had X-rays for my left hip which was done in 2017. He said everything looked fine. I didn't mention about my right hip because it just crossed my mind today when I attempted to take a nap. Does anyone else have this issue after almost 13 months of surgery and not being able to sleep kind of dull pain very achy just not comfortable I got up I didn't know what else to do but come back to the recliner. not sure if I should use ice before going to bed or heat. I'm sorry to go on and on but this is very disturbing since I work all day I'm 55 In a sitting position. thank you again I appreciate the feedback.
1 like, 18 replies
hope4cure AMc1962
Posted
Only 8 weeks and back to work. God bless you . It's so frustrating to get thru all the residual pain after hip replacement surgery. I have had 2 and 1 revision , and I still Cannot sit in low sofas, chairs without a cushion to add height. It's made a big difference with comfort level.
The one thing that comes to mind for your comfort at work is the chair you sit in. Is it at a higher position while sitting, never sit bending forword. Or have u added a seat cushion to raise the height or one that swivels at Amazon . Some cushions are also good for cars while driving. These chairs at work are they stationary or swivel on wheels. I would switch to a high back stationary chair add the cushion seat and back for comfort. It's to soon to be sitting to long it's important to get up a walk every hour or so and bending is also tricky .
Keep the exercise routine up and soon it will all be just a faded memory!
AMc1962 hope4cure
Posted
Thanks for writing. I may look into that cushion that might add some relief also the fact that I'm sleeping in a recliner lift recliner. Also might be good for work. As far as sleeping well I have issues with arthritis on both shoulders plus the hip surgery so it's kind of difficult to figure out sleep best definitely not on the recent surgery at 7 weeks going on 8 but I do certainly appreciate you offering a suggestion. I wish you well and continued health and again thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. Good night or should I say good morning LOL
KarmaMama AMc1962
Posted
I am almost one year post op for anterior right hip THR. I still can't sleep on the right side, which is annoying, as I have a hard time sleeping on my back, and I have to move from the left side after a while.
Ice seems to help me most, more than heat. I have also found that if I turn so far on my right side that I am almost on my stomach, that provides a bit of relief. I don't sleep that way, but when I am trying to get to sleep it gives at least a bit of a change from the left.
AMc1962 KarmaMama
Posted
I'm still sleeping on he recliner. LOL it's a lift recliner. Sigh. Ugh. This is where I'm writing to you from right now. My boyfriend just went to bed. I may try going in and lying on my side I too can sleep on my back. Have lower back issues and sciatica. Geez. But as I always say there are worse things so I'm going to try to continue to be as positive as I can though there are moments of depression sets in when you know that the only thing you can sleep in after a year is on the recliner that you purchased for your other hip surgery 7 weeks ago so I appreciate you writing to me I will certainly take into account what you said about the Leaning in to at least try to get myself as comfortable as possible thank you take care you think of anything else let me know. Good night or should I say good morning LOL
margot50 AMc1962
Posted
I'm sorry for your pain ! I also have a similar issue. I'm 5 months after a posterior left hip replacement and I still can't sleep on that side. IT's too painful and heavy feeling. It's still very tender to the touch too. Because of sciatica, I can't sleep on my back, and I get tired, and sore, sleeping on my good, or right side. I don't find either ice or heat helps this issue at all. So, I don't have any suggestions. Surgeon suggested a hip bursitis injection, but I really wish I didn't have to do that after having gone through this whole hip replacement surgery. I had hip bursitis before surgery and two injections didn't help it. I didn't realize I would still have bursitis after hip replacement !! Has anyone else had a hip bursitis injection after hip replacement and did it help?
AMc1962 margot50
Posted
Hello there yes I do not sleep on my back I actually have arthritis on both shoulders so I can't sleep for long on the right side which is where I had my surgery over a year ago 13 months I guess for long and I certainly won't be able to rock over to my left side because I just had that surgery 7/8 weeks ago. I also have back problems too. The doctor never has said anything about bursitis on that when I had in 2016 that I may be something to look into, I did have shots put in for a long time in my hip because of the gap. I guess it's a long process for some pending on what your physical issues Maybe. I also have sciatica. His difficult I'm just hoping that by listening to and following a few of the suggestions that I've read so far they may offer some relief. I may try to crawl into bed later on this morning and see if I can at least lie down again for an hour or so. I do appreciate your suggestions and taking your time to write to me. I wish you continued health and the things improve for you. Good night or I shall say good morning LOL
KarmaMama margot50
Posted
Hi, Margot, as I noted, I am almost 1 year post-op. I have not had a pain free day since, and have posted here quite a bit about my very unhappy journey. I am now seeing a pain management specialist, and he is committed to finding the source of the problem and giving me the best life possible. It is at best a temporary thing, but I had 2 steroid shots, one in my hip and one in my SI joint, both with ultrasound to ensure precise placement. I too am frustrated about having to have shots after THR. But they did help, a lot. I am not pain free, and this is not the solution, but I would say I am about 50% to 60% better for now. I pretty much wish I had not had my hip replaced, but that's done. So now I am just doing everything I can to be able to move with less pain and to get as strong as I can. And the shots are pretty minor in return for quite a bit of relief.
AMc1962 KarmaMama
Posted
Thank you again for responding I may look into the pain management and see how that works. I did have shots Prior to hip surgery actually for quite a long time a few years to say the least before I finally went ahead and did the hip surgery in 2016 and found out that my other half was just as worn out and some sort of degenerative quote on quote disease. I appreciate the information and I'll certainly follow up and keep my post up so folks know how I'm progressing and if there are any further suggestions but still sleeping on a recliner is not what it's cracked up to be I did it before the surgery and here I am back again on a recliner. Well at least this is a lift recliner LOL
margot50 KarmaMama
Posted
That's encouraging to know the steroid shots post THR helped somewhat. I'll try to work up the courage for the bursitis injection. I too regret this hip replacement which is a tough thing to admit, but what's done is done and as you say, we have to move forward now and do our best to get stronger and minimize our pain.
lisa31002 AMc1962
Posted
I was finding it difficult to lie flat and had hips too sore to lie on either side too long (op site and tendonitis in other hip). I still have to take pain killers as by end of day my legs ache so much but also realised that matress was just too hard. So I've bought a 4 inch memory foam topper and a bed foam wedge for under the pillow so I'm not completely flat. So much more comfortable and I sleep better and am not so stiff when I get up. I also have bad back (protruding discs, bone spurs, stenosis, osteo-arthritis) 🛌
AMc1962 lisa31002
Posted
Thanks for responding. I'll try that memory foam on top of the bed maybe it is that a little too firm for it but it has been 13 months I figured by now I would be fine and then adding the new hip that was just put in 7 8 weeks ago that is weighing heavily I tried sleeping again this morning and was able to find some what of a comfort spot but didn't sleep just sat there thinking constantly about my discomfort and the fact that my new hip seems to weigh heavily on me of course that is full of metal so LOL that might be that might be it just kidding. Maybe not LOL thanks again wishing you a great day
margot50 AMc1962
Posted
Lisa31002's suggestion for a mattress topper sounds promising for you. There are many different types, from down + feathers to latex to memory foam. I personally find memory foam kind of firm and not as comfortable, but clearly it has helped Lisa31002 . I hope you can find a topper of some kind that works for you and that will take some of the pressure off your hip. We have to have our sleep, so I wish you all the best.
Rocketman_SG6UK AMc1962
Posted
Were you trying to sleep on your back or side? I wasn't able to sleep on both sides for nearly 2 years ..... all OK now though.
AMc1962 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Responding. I was trying to sleep on my sides 13 months ago I had a right hip replacement 7 weeks ago I had a left hip replacement so I'm just trying to do the best that I can. tried again this morning for about an hour and 15 minutes and I cannot sleep on my back only on my sides. So I tried on the one from 13 months ago that side and I just sat there thinking disappointed that I couldn't sleep just think about the fact that I was not that comfortable and that my new hip from 7 weeks ago is weighing heavily on me must be the metal LOL just kidding no not really but it has only been 7 weeks so I'm going to try a few the suggestions but I can't sleep on my back cuz I have sacroiliac issues aside from other osteoarthritis and onset of Ra oh my goodness 105 LOL I appreciate your input and your taking time thank you. And wishing you a good day
margot50 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
It gives me hope that after 2 years you can sleep on your side again! Even though it's a long time to wait, the fact that you are fine now is great.