Posted By: Shalby TeamCategory: Knee ReplacementComments: 0Pain After Knee ReplacementLike any other surgery, a knee joint replacement surgery is also painful and good care needs to be taken during the recovery period. Thus, sleeping correctly with the right amount of support is necessary. Show
A knee replacement surgery can cause you pain for some days. As you are recovering, the discomfort and pain may make it difficult to sleep. Managing the pain after the surgery includes finding the right sleep position so you can not only sleep comfortably but also speed up your recovery process. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, the tricks mentioned below may help. Sleeping on Your BackThe best sleeping position just after your surgery is sleeping on your back. 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. If your pillow is flat, use a second pillow. You must, however, avoid placing the pillow under your foot, as it will put stress on your knees and increase your pain. Sleeping on Your SideSome people find sleeping on their sides more comfortable, and if you are one of them, do not lie on your operative side. Also, put a cushion or pillow between your legs to provide cushion to the knee. In case you need more support, add another pillow to pad your knee to make the leg comfortable. Sleeping on the side can be painful because the leg is not straight enough. However, gradually, you can start sleeping on your side as the knee heals. But avoid sleeping on the operative side at all costs, as it puts a lot of pressure on the surgery site. Sleeping on Your StomachIf you sleep on your stomach, after a knee joint replacement surgery, you should refrain from doing so. Lying on your abdomen puts direct pressure on your surgery site and can be very painful.You will heal between 3-6 weeks and after you have recovered, you can begin sleeping normally again. However, if the position you are used to sleeping in causes pain, avoid it for a few more days until you are completely healed. Taking Medicines 1 Hour Before SleepingYou will be prescribed to take painkillers several times a day after the surgery. You should make sure that your last dose falls one hour before you sleep so that the medicines show the effect just when you sleep. Icing Your Knee to Dull the Pain Before SleepingOne more thing that can be helpful is icing your knee for 15-20 minutes so that the area becomes numb and does not hurt. Put a towel on the area and then place the ice pack. Remove the ice pack and then sleep. Using a Wedge PillowThe wedge pillow provides optimum support to your knee while elevating your leg just rightly. However, you will be required to sleep on your back while using a wedge pillow ConclusionAfter knee replacement surgery, several things need to be taken care of. The position you sleep in can affect the recovery time as well as pain caused by the surgery. This is why sleeping in the right position is necessary.
If you’ve just had knee surgery, following your doctor’s guidance for recovery is vital to healing properly. An important way to help your body’s healing process is getting plenty of sleep. While you rest, your body has time to work on tissue growth and restore your energy, so you’re ready for physical therapy. Here are a few tips on how to sleep after knee replacement surgery so you have a smooth recovery. Sleep on Your BackThe best way to sleep after knee surgery is on your back. This position makes it easy to keep your leg straight while sleeping, allowing proper blood flow to the surgery site. You can also prop your leg up using pillows while sleeping 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. Either way, elevating your knee as you sleep can further help keep your knee straight and relieve pain. Sleep on Your SideCan you sleep on your side after knee replacement surgery? You can, but it’s wise not to do so until at least a few weeks after surgery, when you can start bending your knee. Make sure you lay on your non-operative side. Sleeping this way makes sure no pressure falls on the knee you had surgery on. Put a couple of pillows between your knees to provide support and comfort. Tips for Better Sleep After Knee Replacement SurgeryAlong with sleeping on your back and non-operative side, keep these tips in mind as well so that you can get the best rest possible:
Relieve Your Knee Pain at OrthoBethesdaAt OrthoBethesda, our special technologies and team of orthopedists allow us to treat various orthopedic conditions, including knee pain. Our physicians are here to help you relieve your knee pain. To learn how we can help, contact us or schedule an appointment today. This article was reviewed and co-authored by Dr. John Tiberi, M.D.,OS (board-certified orthopaedic surgeon). 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. |