Tips for sleeping on my side 8 weeks post hip replacement?
Posted , 6 users are following.
I had a fall and broke my femur and hip. The first op, to insert a nail down femur and screws to hip, completely dislocated and the screw in my hip penetrated my hip socket.
I am now 8 weeks post complete hip replacement and extra metalwork in my femur.
Recovery is going well, but I still dread the uncomfortable nights.
I have been told I can sleep on my side, but when I do, with my good leg underneath, the top of my leg feels very bruised and achy.
I sleep with a pillow between my knees and I have to give up and sleep sitting up, which gives me backache and sore heels.
Any tips?
0 likes, 7 replies
berni22417 Guest
Posted
i have had 3 hip replacements in 5 years, one was a revision. Sleeping was one of the hardest parts of recovery, i did eventually find sleeping on my back with pillows under my calves stopped that awful ache in my heels. i didnt sleep on my side, with a long pillow between my knees and legs until around 3months after each op.,. its trial and error and different for everyone. Good luck with your recovery, and try not to be impatient !. One thing, i don't know if this helps, i did sleep on my stomach after a short time, surgeon said it was safe - although i had to be careful getting on and off the bed, plus it was just for cat naps, as i was scared of falling into a deep sleep and moving incorrectly. Best wishes.
Guest berni22417
Posted
My heels feel sore when they touch the bottom sheet.
I am trying hard to be patient! My hip isn't bothering me; it's just these side issues ( no pun intended!). My thigh aches a bit but I had three months muscle wastage so it will take a while. Thank you for your reply.
ptolemy Guest
Posted
You can get sheepskin protectors for sore heels. I was given a rug when in hospital for something rather than my hip and it really worked. You can get sort of half slipper things to protect the heel too. I suppose the soreness is a sort of bedsore.
yvonne02773 Guest
Posted
That is rough, Kate. Sleep is so important for recovery. I struggled on my back but eventually found a pillow under my knees helped. I'm now sleeping on my 'good' side with a narrow pillow between my knees. For a while I took a codeine before I went to sleep and that helped hugely. No painkillers needed now, but if you need that support use it. Once your recovery is more complete you won't need them.
Guest yvonne02773
Posted
Thanks, Yvonne. I'd stopped taking painkillers a while ago, but you could be right, so I'll try taking paracetamol or codeine at night. Our mattress is quite hard and my husband says we need to buy a softer one for me. But first, i shall try sleeping in a guest bedroom that has a softer mattress so that I'll be able to judge it.
jen86183 Guest
Posted
Hi Kate,
My husband moved into the spare room for my twelve week precautions, I put pillows down both side and one between my legs and it helped a lot. Everyone suffers with sleeping on their backs, but looking back, it seems to have been a short time of the recovery.
berni22417 Guest
Posted
sore heels is awful, don't just put pillow behind knees, put a longer fluffier one behind your knees and calves, it makes a big difference. Learned from 3 replaced hips !.