Sleeping on my back

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all, it's me again. Can I ask how long we are supposed to sleep on our backs please? They told me I must but didn't say how long. I do struggle as I'm sure most of you do. What are your thoughts please. I'm four weeks post op. xx

2

I saw the physio at six weeks and he said I could sleep on the non-operated side with a pillow between my legs from then on.

I struggle to sleep on my back so it was great to finally get a decent night's sleep.

3

HI cindy

You need to sleep on your back until you have your 6 week check back at the hospital. It's frustrating I know but you don't want to risk dislocation. Once the consultant has given you the go ahead you will be ok but take it st day.

Julie

4

Hi.  I had my surgery last october & the day i was sent home (2 days after the THR), the consultant told me I could sleep on my non operated side straight away as long as I had a pillow between my legs.  The physio told me the same.    it seems that different clinicians do indeed give different advice on certain matters, but the important advice is always the advice given you by the professionals who are looking after you.

5

Hello,

I had surgery 15 days ago. My physiotherapist Said I can sleep on my non operated Side with a pillow between my legs, just after one week.

Nevertheless ı sleep on my back most of the time, it feels more secure.

The nurse told me I can sleep on my operated Side whenever I feel comfortable but I am afraid to do so, not yet...

I hope you get well soon.

All the best,

Desire

6

Thanks Doug for the input, it's alway handy to know what others have been told as it seems to vary. 

Kind regards

7

Thanks Julie, I'm so tempted at four weeks with a pillow between my legs but as you say I don't want to risk a dislocation so best wait. It's only another two weeks. xx

8

This is sounding better, haha, it's strange how they all say different. I must say in the early days I wouldn't have even tired as it didn't feel right to me but now I feel I could do it comfortably, is it worth the risk, I'm not sure. 

Thanks for the input.

9

Thanks Desire for the input, It really does vary doen't it. It's like the hip flextion of 90 degrees, some surgeons don't even recognise it as a problem others day 12 week and other 6 month. What are we to do. 

Kind regards

Cindy

10

Yes, advice is different around the UK, as is the level of care & support.  Best wishes for a full & successful recovery.

11

HI Cindy you just have to ease into it, I tried at first for 10 mins, and worked on it longer and longer as it went, a pillow between the legs does help but you have to be brave and take a little pain then try again, I wedged myself againt the wall with a wedge of pillows and sank down so I was not really on my back as such, I had both sides done so been through it twice...now 2 years and much much better after a few problems with my left side.

12

Good tip Ian, just to ease into it, may give it a go tonight just for five or ten minuets. I have thought of laying on my back, bending my knees up a little, putting the pillow inbetween and then going over whole body together. If that makes sense to you. Thanks for the tip x

13

I have tried laying on my unoperated side for a few minutes at a time with a pillow between my legs the bliss until I feel a bit of a pull across my scar and then I gently roll back.

14

I was told 3 months . one thing I have learnt on here is every Dr has their own directions.  Check with your Dr    

15

This is just one reason why I'm choosing the anterior method. No restrictions on sleeping on one's side. But the doctor who only does the posterior method also said that they do not have as many restrictions as before. However, I would be nervous about ignoring the doctor's advice.

16

hi cindy, 

confusing, isn't it   -

I was allowed to sleep on non-operated side after 1st night (so 2 days post-op) with pillow between knees, but was also told to lie on my back for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times a day .

not much help .... I think it is safe for you to try it out in -

 

17

Hello Glad to hear you are coming along and 4 weeks post op.

I am almost 7 weeks post op.  I really struggled with sleeping on my back too. and developed really painful heels which were more painful than the new hip.  I had bought a v shape pillow as I thought would be good for sitting up. but turned out as well as that I put it between my knees and feels really secure and one of the v bits I wedge under small of back and just raises me slightly and made such a difference. I was told by physio in hospital I could lie on operated side straight away but was probably going to be too uncomfortable because of the scar, which it was. but just tilting me a bit off my back and knowing I was secure without rolling made all the difference.  and not at almost 7 weeks I am able to lie fully on it. still with the pillow until 12 weeks.  I bought a cushion leg raiser from a well know on line retailer and my heels dangle over it and I sleep for few hours on back more comfortably with that, (also heled as I have puffy ankle end of the day) then shift to side and another few uninterupted hours.  The back sleeping and the heel pain was the worst aspect for me.  take care, hope you get a decent night soon x

18

Hi Cindy, Surgeon said 6 weeks, It was hell as i had back problems anyway. Used a rolled up towel into the curve of my back to ease it. At 4 weeks saw physio, she told me to lay on my operated side with pillow between my legts, welll after all the faffing about to get into that posisition couldnt manage more than 10 mins, it was very painful. Then saw surgeon just after 6 weeks and he said lay on unoperated side with pillow, best nights sleep I had, I still find i wake up on my back. I think it all depends on the approach you had anterior or posterior. I had posterior. Also surgeons will differ as will their patients.  Good luck.

19

sleeping on you back is the worst but my physio said i could sleep on my non-operated side after a couple of weeks as long as i had a pillow between my legs

20

Hi CIndy,

I am 5 weeks post op and was told I could sleep on the non operated side with a pillow between my legs when I was discharged. This was however pretty uncomfortable so decide to stay on my back - not ideal but you definitely feel more secure. Then about 10 days ago I woke up and I had turned on my non operated side during the night - needless to say there was not a pillow! This has now happened every night so as I had no idea how to prevent it I have just carried on - no dislocation yet - fingers crosssd!! The operated side is still to sore and my body must know that as o never wake up on that side!!

Good luck

Chris