This article was reviewed and co-authored by Dr. John Tiberi, M.D.,OS (board-certified orthopaedic surgeon). Show
Ripping the blankets off. Pulling the blankets up. Fluffing your pillow. Throwing a pillow to the ground. Tossing and turning. Groaning and moaning. Few things are more frustrating than lying awake at night unable to sleep. Pair sleeplessness alongside total exhaustion and uncontrolled pain, and you’ve got a recipe for a post-op breakdown. It seems unfair that after enduring a joint replacement surgery that’s been stressful on your mind and body, you’ve found yourself unable to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s very common that those recovering from a hip or knee replacement find themselves unable to sleep at night. It’s a double-edged sword: your body needs sleep to recover from the procedure, however, it’s the pain and side-effects of surgery that are contributing to your insomnia. Read on as we share why you’re not sleeping and what you can do to fall asleep and stay asleep. Why Sleep Matters for Your RecoveryChances are, you already know that sleeplessness is affecting your mood and impacting your recovery. However, do you know that in the first weeks of recovery, sleep is extra important? Here’s why sleep matters more than ever.
3 Reasons Why You’re Not Sleeping at NightDepending on the stage of recovery you’re in, there may be a few things contributing to your lack of sleep. Pain is a likely underlying reason you’re awake at night. In addition to the pain culprit, there are other contributors that are creating your ‘perfect storm’ of sleeplessness. Let’s break em’ all down.
Tips to Get to Sleep…and Stay Asleep!Like the number of factors that are working together and causing you to lie awake at night, a bunch of things work together to help you sleep better. By employing a handful of tactics that are proven to promote better sleep, you should be able to catch more zzz’s at night. Here are some tips you can follow ASAP, to rest easy.
Safe Sleeping Positions: Do’s and Don’tsNot being able to sleep in your go-to position can certainly keep you up at night. Unfortunately, when it comes to the safety of your new artificial implant, there are some positions that are off-limits. It’s important that you stick to safe positions and pay attention to your body. Around the 6 week mark, once your physician gives you the greenlight, you may be able to return to sleeping in your preferred position (such as on your stomach or surgical side). Until then, stick to these positions. Safe Hip Replacement Sleeping Positions:Physicians Note: Sleep restrictions are tied to stability precautions. There are more sleep precautions for the posterior approach than the anterior approach. Ask your physician about positional precautions for sleeping to see if she/he have any for your joint replacement type. For instance, Dr. Tiberi adds that, “The position recommendations are variable. Personally, I don’t have any hip replacement position restrictions on sleep.”
Note: It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after hip replacement surgery. Do not attempt to lie in this position. It is also unsafe (and painful) to sleep on your surgical side. Consult your doctor to see if there are other positions you should avoid. After the 6 week mark, speak to your care team again to see if it’s safe for you to return to other sleeping positions. Safe Knee Replacement Sleeping Positions:
Note: It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after knee replacement surgery. Do not attempt to lie in this position. It is also unsafe (and painful) to sleep on your surgical side. Consult your doctor to see if there are other positions you should avoid. After the 6 week mark, speak to your care team again to see if it’s safe for you to return to other sleeping positions. Your recovery requires all the dedication and energy you have. If you’re not sleeping properly through the night, your batteries aren’t getting fully charged. Having a joint replacement? Sign-up for PeerWell and you may be able to PreHab on your smartphone alongside proactive peers! John Tiberi, M.D.,OS is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in minimally-invasive hip and knee replacement surgery and reconstructions. He attended medical school at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. Dr. Tiberi completed his fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a published orthopedic in journals such as The Journal of Arthroplasty, Journal of Bone Joint Surgery (JBJS), and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Dr. Tiberi is the winner of Dana M. Street Orthopaedic Research Award. In pain? Preparing for surgery? PeerWell Health helps you fast forward to better with 1:1 doctor visits, physical therapy, and a custom at-home program for your condition. Should I sleep with a pillow under my knee after knee replacement?You should make sure that your operative leg stays as straight as possible to avoid hypertension of the knee and keep proper blood flow to the surgery site. If you are sleeping on your back, put the pillow under your calf and knee. This will not only cushion the knee from pressure but also keep your leg straight.
Where do you put a pillow after knee surgery?Sleep on Your Back
To ensure your knee is getting the appropriate support it needs, make sure the pillow is underneath the length of your knee and calf to avoid bending. If one pillow is too low, add another pillow or two. You can also check with your doctor to see if using a foam wedge might work.
Should I elevate my knee while sleeping after surgery?Elevating your knee for short periods of time can help with swelling, but shouldn't be done for sleeping. Two pillows, or a wedge-shaped foam block, will under your calf will often provide an elevated position for the knee. Raising your leg above your heart while lying on you back will aid in swelling.
Should you elevate your knee after knee replacement?For knee replacement, you will need to elevate the leg to help reduce swelling. It is important to elevate the entire leg, down to the ankle. When elevating, your feet should be above the level of your heart. You may also use pillows to elevate, but never place a pillow behind your knee.
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