As you all know, we're told to sleep on our back for 6 weeks, exception being it's apparently OK after a week or two to sleep on the damaged side with a pillow between ones legs. I've always been a right side sleeper.
Well, I tried the side one and it is too painful still. I am 3 weeks out from a left THR. If I sleep on my back I sometimes try it with a pillow under my knees as suggested by the physio. This doesn't help, in fact it makes the back pain worse sometimes.
I wake up stiff and aching from back and pelvis and barely able to move. It eases as I get up and move around.
Anyone any advice at all please about alleviating this? I have another three weeks to go before I can right side sleep and even then need to be careful!
Sleep on the damaged side? I thought most of us were told it's okay to try to gradually sleep on your good, unoperated side! This whole sleeping thing was one of the hardest things about recovery. It was torture sleeping on my back for 6 weeks, but I stuck it out with the help of pain killers at night, then gradually was able to sleep on my good side with a pillow between my knees. That was heaven and such a relief. Are you sure you stated it correctly about sleeping on the damaged (operated) side?!
Yes, that's what I was told. I've since been looking at other sites and several of them advise against a pillow UNDER the knees, they say to put one between the knees. The reason I was given for side sleeping with 'bad' leg on top is that it's easy to move it around and bend it an angle that might be detrimental.
I don't know who to believe now! I only know I hate sleeping my back. I get so drowsy during the day!
I was told to sleep on the operated side at 5weeks and if I wanted too sleep on The other side to use a pillow between my legs and this would stop the operated leg crossing over mid line . I was worried about back sleeping but fortunately adapTed quickly
I was told to sleep on my good side , using a pillow between my legs not my bad side . I am 8 weeks post op and my bad side is still to sore to sleep on .
I would like to know what Prince Philip has been doing as he looks so much fitter than me yet 40 years older !
Yes, it's hard, but for a good reason, I suspect that it helps the bone re-grow around the new metal parts so that they align correctly. I had to have this for 6 weeks, then 4 weeks later I had revision so had another 6 weeks on my back. . It was about 18 months before I could sleep on either side with any degree of comfort.
We all seem to get different advice on which side to sleep on, and I actually found it easier to carry on sleeping on my back. Best advice from hippies on this forum is to use a pillow between your legs to stop them crossing over.
You poor thing having revision so soon after. I need the other hip doing too but it's fine at present due to the amount of rest it's getting! Physio said to leave it 3 months minimum before having other one done. Consultant said 6 weeks! But they like to slash and dash.
Nooooo sleeping on the operated side! Keep pillow between your legs and gently roll to your non-operated side. Or sleep in a recliner. I had a chair by my bedside that I could grab onto to help me gently roll onto the non-operated side. Hope this helps. Better days ahead so hang in there.
Yes, it was no fun having that hanging over me, it interfered with our Christmas celebrations.
Trouble was, when he did the revision he was unable to correct his mistake as the ceramic was jammed firmly in the wrong position (it still is). I am right now in the middle of negotiating compensation after liability has been admitted.
In your place, I would give it a couple of months unless there are other good reasons, consultants do like to rush us through as they get paid on the numbers done.
At 10 weeks I have been plagued by lack of sleep. My back is painful- more painful than my hip. It constantly gnaws and aches. I couldn’t sleep on my back so sat propped up for 7 weeks then was told I could sleep in my good side. Only I can’t my back goes into spasm and keeps me awake. I am desperate for sleep!
I was told no sleeping on the operated side, I can sleep for short periods on the good side with a pillow to support, I did this at 3 weeks (DHS op not a THR so not sure if this makes a diff), lack of sleep is the worst. But I’ve been told it gets better, I’m now nearly 5 weeks after the op.
I had anterior with no restrictions so I'm not sure how we compare. At 8 weeks out I still couldn't sleep on my surgical side. I could sleep on my good one but needed a pillow and still couldn't stay that way for long. I.am a side sleeper but HAD to get used to my back. Its working.
I found the best thing was to make a sort of ‘nest’ using every pillow and cushion in the house. Put some so your back is propped up slightly, others to raise your legs and feet, and then some each side to keep you from rolling over. Even doing thIs you will probably wake up several times, so jus get up and walk around, have a cup of tea, whatever, and don’t worry about it, Then go back to bed and try for another few hours.
After six weeks you can sleep on your good side. I’m about 13 weeks now and can finally sleep for a while on my operated side.
Thanks to all for the advice. i don't understand some of the acronyms, you all sound very well informed! I only know mine was total and meant to be enhanced recover. DH measured my scar and it's 4 inches which suggests a less intrusive surgery.
Early this morning I was able to doze for a short while on my good side, keeping a pillow between my legs as advised. Not bad for 3 1/2 weeks out.