Sleeping on my side

nh_user_675179 · April 25, 2015, 9:36am

could someone please advise me about sleeping on my side I am four and a half weeks post op and have been sleeping on my back however just started feeling some pressure pain in my sternum when is it ok to sleep on your side and which side should that be Some sites talk about sleeping on operated side and some on non operated side I would appreciate your thoughts thanks.

anon53727290 · April 25, 2015, 9:49am

Hi Pauline there seems to be quite a differance about this I am in Surrey I am 5 wks post op of RTHR but as soon as I was awake after surgery I was allowed to sleep on my side and that was my operated side too, It may be because I also need urgently my LTHR also I have a prolapsed disk lol If they could fix them all I would be bionic lol, so I think you should give the hospital Dr a call and ask, mine and I also had desolving stickes and my leg so far has been healing fine regards Ron

nh_user_631028 · April 25, 2015, 9:51am

Hi, I started after period of time post op on my back sleeping on my good side with large pillow tucked between my knees and lower thigh at 90 degrees to each other. Been terrific. I haven't slept on my op side yet though.

anon53727290 · April 25, 2015, 9:56am

Hi Pauline,

Like Ron, I was given a cautious go ahead to sleep on side in hospital - as long as I was careful. much, much easier! Rather confusing this differing advice tho....

take care

Mic

x

nh_user_592820 · April 25, 2015, 10:54am

Hi {Pauline,I was told to sleep on my back for 6 weeks, I was up at 3 am every day sleeping was a nightmare, I went to see my Physio at just over 4 weeks and was was told I could sleep on my side with pillows between my knees and ankless, I sleep on my good side, the other sode is a bit painful, Sleep till about 5am now "bliss"

Brian

anon53727290 · April 25, 2015, 11:12am

I am also a side sleeper and didn't have comfort with sleeping on either side until almost 4 months, with a pillow between my knees/legs. My understanding is that while it may be more uncomfortable sleeping/leaning on the operated side, it is actually better than sleeping on the non-op side, since there is less 'hip flexion', or less of a possible angle for the hip. The hip that is actually 'on the up side' as you sleep may end up at more of an angle than the side that is down on the bed. But then again, sleeping directly on the new hip can feel funny for its own reasons. My hubby said I snored on my back, so he's happy I'm back on my side!

nh_user_674837 · April 25, 2015, 11:14am

Hi Pauline

I can only say what I found and was advised which was stay on the back until 6 weeks. I did put a pillow under operated the knee of the operated side. That made it easier but Physio told me I shouldn't do that as the leg needs to stretch out. But I still did because it was the only way I could sleep.

Now 7 weeks on and can sleep on operated side. I was told not operated side as there is a risk that the operated hip can drop over too far and dislocate. I do put a pillow between my knees and must admit to sleeping on the unoperated side as well.

Best wishes

Barbara

nh_user_674837 · April 25, 2015, 11:15am

Sorry that should have read not unoperated side

nh_user_595377 · April 25, 2015, 12:19pm

Hi Pauline! I was advised to sleep on the non operated side! My right hip was done! I did find before that I was OK on my back as long as I had a pillow under my calves! I have been told you can get a pillow between the knees! Hope this helps ! Regards Amanda

nh_user_542648 · April 25, 2015, 2:55pm

I slept on my non operated side about 3 weeks post op, with a pillow between my knees. I made sure that the knee of my operated hip was lower than the other one so it wasn't at 90 degrees. I usually sleep on that side anyway. Had no problems doing that at all and was a lot more comfortable. After 6 weeks I changed to a cushion instead which was less bulky. Good luck.

anon53727290 · April 25, 2015, 3:15pm

Hi

It is so cconfusing the different advice.

I've had 2 THR's and was told it had to be 6 weeks on my back and then on my OPERATED side for a while longer......very sore!!! That was because if you sleep on your unoperated side, the operated hip is on the top and likely to fall forward.

Pillows were never mentioned to me lol

Love

Eileen UK

nh_user_688247 · April 25, 2015, 8:18pm

Good to know .... I was told that I could sleep on non-operated side with the pillow while I was still in the hospital - tossing and turning all night,which is no small feat ... I guess I am afraid that I will do something wrong - drop the leg too far or something - I will try to lie on operated side --- good night -