THR

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Its been 4 days sens ive had my THR i cant sleep on my side because its so uncomfortable so i sleep on my back, but its so painful what can i do about the pain in my back

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  • Posted

    I had my thr in june . Try sleeping with a pillow between your legs. it does get better the first 6 weeks sucked for me sleeping. Here it is Nov 4 and I played basketball this morning and life is pretty good with very minimal pain. My age helped me at 47 but it does get better.

    • Posted

      I use the pillow as well what about swelling did you get that because im getting that too and what about lifting your leg i can barely lift my leg. i guess i feel so defeated at times

    • Posted

      hi. try sleeping with extra pillows under your head. I used abt 4 plus a V shaped pillow for quite a time after. not sure if you've had the posterior approach or anterior as sleeping advice is different as to when you can side sleep.

      as for the swelling that's normal - all part of the healing process of the OP. I got off that well known site a looped thing to help lift my leg in and out of bed but some use rolled up towels or their dressing gown tie if you have one. it does subside . the best thing for that 7s ice + elevation . I raised my feet on pillows in bed to help but elevating it on a stool in the daytime was the biggest help - just make sure you hip doesn't go above the 90 degrees ie your foot not higher than your hip when its elevated.

      feeling defeated is something we all go thro at some point. but for me the first 2 weeks were the worst but it quickly got a lot better and I could see daily improvements. I'm almost 6 months post op now and compared to pre OP my life has improved immensely.

      best wishes

    • Posted

      oh thank you so much I thought I was the only one that was having issues about being defeated but i will get the pillows and use the tie off my rob to help lift my leg. I never thought of that I thought something was wrong because i cant lift my leg

    • Posted

      Ahh Frances lots of us have felt like this after our ops .Sleeping is difficullt for a few weeks and the swelling is completely normal akthough a bit alarming . Take the good as advice you have received from the others on here. It does get better so chin up !

    • Posted

      yes definitely had some swelling I used the hoop instrument they gave me to get in and out of bed but as I said before the first month or so sucks but once you get passed that it definitely will get easier.

    • Posted

      The hoop thing I was given was from the hospital, free even, just a bit of material tied in a loop. Absolutely brilliant.

  • Posted

    hi frances

    your not alone , most of us have struggled to sleep , i found it more bearable if i slept more upright with 5 pillows and another under my knees for the first few weeks as suffered with numb bum and back ache when attempting to sleep on my back and i did get myself upset and angry , its all normal . this is a great site to get support and encouragement

    just listen to your body the first couple of weeks more then anything and dont feel guilty if you have days where you do nothing but rest our body have been through major tremor , the first couple of weeks are the worst but your strong you can do this

    stay strong

    • Posted

      Thank you I am so glad I came to this site because sleeping on my is horrible and getting in the bed is terrible. But getting out the bed is slow. I hate to continue to have to wake my husband because he works early in the morning. Any suggestions about getting in and out the bed?

    • Posted

      hi sorry to jump in. it's easier to get in and out of bed if you sleep on the side of the bed you had your hip dond ie L hip sleep L side of bed and R hip R side of bed. that way you've not got far to go to get out lol. I always and still do get myself in a sitting position then move my bad leg out if bed then I can easily get my gd one out. Didn't the hospital check you could do this - mine did it was one of the tests you have to pass. they elevate the hosp bed to exactly the same height as my bed to check how well and safe I was.

      anyway you'll find that gets easier as time goes on. most of us have stiff joint first movement so what I do now is to do what I call my bed exercises before I get out of bed in a morning. the simplest one is to slowly slide your foot/ leg up and down from a flat position to a bent knee. I do 10 but to start with I did 3. it just helps in stiffen your joint if you've not moved much for a few hrs.

  • Posted

    Francis sorry to hear your in pain. It took a long time before I could sleep on my side. I use a wedge with a pillow under my head and a rolled pillow secured with rubber bands under my knees. It takes the pressure off my lower back. Later when you can sleep on your side use a pillow between your knees to keep your back in proper allignment . I hope this helps you sleep.

  • Posted

    Hi Frances, you've had loads of good advice. I had really swollen legs, I used to elevate my legs and put something cold on them. I found that helped. Also make sure you take all your meds initially. That way you can keep ahead of the pain, and do your exercises. I hated the nights, but hang on in there, it should all start to improve.

    I wish you all the best, Judith

  • Posted

    yeap i found getting in and out of bed hard for a few days , one of the physios told me when getting in bed look slightly over your shoulder as if looking at 11am on the clock and that gives you a good starting position to work on pulling yourself up the bed , getting out just take it slowly it will get better after a week. and as julie said sleep on the side of bed you have had op on i.e. right for right.

    am on week 7 post op am just remembering 8 weeks ago ( before op ) i had to lift my bad leg into bed it was so painful no lifting needed now , this will be all worth it soon frances

  • Posted

    hi frances,

    stick in there, i had my THR 9 wks ago and the fist 3 wks are the worsed. i still cannot lay on my side even now for very long. Just do your exercises and walk as much as you are able. you will get there, trust me.

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