Hip Replacement :: Post Op Sleeping Position
Jan 17, 2016
I am beginning to see the wisdom of practicing sleeping on one's back pre op. It may mean a couple of bad nights, but at least, over time, it will become the norm, and hopefully, the body will adjust. My problem is that my Maine Coon, may leap on top of me. She is a "whopper" so I may have to keep her out my bedroom for the first few nights, post op! I have read websites that say that it is possible to sleep on the unoperated side, with a bolster between the legs so that the operated leg is kept in the right position, but again, the wisdom of this is up for debate.
Ear plugs sound to be a good idea, to screen out any background noise, and my Kindle will be a good "screen" with earphones, of course!
I am, of course, pre op, so do not fully understand what is considered to be the "norm" in terms of patient's' experiences for the first few days in hospital post op. It rather looks as though a lot of post op care and monitoring depends on the patient's general state of health, pre op, and any extenuating medical circumstances that require extra care and vigilance.
I am "psyching" myself up for almost anything, at this point! I do not do well without at least seven hours' sleep per night, and it does sound as though sleep deprivation whilst trying to recover in hospital is a necessary "nuisance!"
View 53 Replies
Advertisement
Have other people had difficulty getting back into a reasonable sleep pattern after a THR? I'm now 8 weeks post op. I'm cleared to sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs to stop my operated on leg rolling forward - which it does of course when the pillow dislodges! I'm trying not to take any painkillers (paracetamol) during the day and that's fine as I have little pain moving around. But still discomfort when I don't move for any period of time - hence feeling uncomfortable at night. I do often take a couple of paracetamols at bedtime but this doesn't seem to make sleeping any better. I'm often awake in the small hours and increasingly tired during the day.
View 21 Replies
I'm 6 weeks post TKR, my extension is 0 & flexion is 148°, returning to work this week, can only sleep when I take Lorazepam at bedtime. Unable to sleep on my side yet, pillow doesn't help, having to drink Tonic water to get the cramps and spasms away at night and having to cover my scar with a telfa pad so I can cover up with a sheet. I have worked very hard and cried with every PT session, last professional PT session was 2 weeks ago,I'm doing them on my own now, twice a day.Off all medications including all over the counter meds.... What else should I expect when I return to work this week???? Would love to stop the sleep medication..
View 58 Replies
I'm 65 and just had a THR I Live alone and seem to be doing ok just wondering how other people managed or any tips.
View 27 Replies
I've felt really good the last couple of days. Been having decent sleeps now that I lie on my non op side with the pillow between my legs.
Had a shower yesterday by myself, the only thing I couldn't do was dry my feet and put DVT stocking back on my op side leg.
I Have been walking round the house on 1 crutch a lot more and can feel the movement getting better although I do still use 2 when I'm outside.
The swelling on my thigh seems to be decreasing now although I can't bend the leg very much as the thigh muscle is still very tender, tight and sore.
Meds are getting less use as well, bloody Fragmin injections are still doing my head in, only another 25 or so to do 💉.
All in all I'm feeling quite good.
Also got my 1st physio session on Tues 29th, not looking forward to that after all the comments on here. They seem to do more damage than good!
View 37 Replies
12 wks post op.
Check up by stand in consultant, not so good!!!
As still having probs with stairs, socks and cutting toenails, was put through a few checks, conclusion was, despite walking and exercises, my bum cheek muscle, for some reason , has collapsed!!
( I did ask him if he was insinuating I had a saggy arse?)
Been referred back to original surgeon, with recommendation of intensive physio. That's me off work now till Jan.
Am questioning whether I should have had this op, more importantly, should I go ahead with left hip, which I've been told, will need replacing in the future!
View 57 Replies
I feel so disappointed, simply because nobody told me how much you'd be limited in your activities. They are quick to rush you into the OR, and they tell you how much better you'll feel once it's done. There needs to be a delegated "person/nurse/social worker" person to call and ask about concerns on a certain timeline. Once a month, at first a few times a week. Someone that knows the answers to your questions or can find out w/o actually going in to see the surgeon, a person who can screen when you do and don't need to consult surgeon. That has been trained to know how to deal with post op patients, their worries, frustrations, and pretty much questions. I think follow up is a super important thing...but after your surgery is done, they're on to the next person, and you are a vague memory. At first, you feel so special, especially during the pre op visits, Doctor is all cheerful "So,HOW are YOU today??" After surgery, Doctor is all "why didn't you start PT on this week instead of that week? shaking his head. The friendly guy is gone, and I feel now just a nuisance and I ask specific questions and he actually says "Hmmm, I don't know" - as my hair was all falling out. My GP knew exactly what it was. It just all felt wrong. Do you think your follow up care was as good as the pre op screening, interviews, and care? Did the photos of the scars/incision you saw look a bit like yours? Were you taught how to properly massage the scar to prevent adhesions and help make it less obvious and look better? My scar... sure didn't look like this, which is what I expected.
View 86 Replies
Just five days to go to op day of 5th October and I am getting things ready for when I come home afterwards.
I decided to go into the spare room for a few weeks so as me and the hubs do not disturb each other. Was making the bed up and wondered whether I should leave the memory foam topper on. It is quite a thick one and the mattress underneath is pretty firm.
What is best? Can anyone share their experience either way re comfort? Anything else I should know other than using a slippy sheet and lots of pillows ? It is a double bed and we have moved it so I can get in an out either side.
Oh and I don't have a frame so just on crutches.. Does it help getting in and put if I have something to help me stand?
View 62 Replies
I am 12 weeks today post op. Was due to go back to work today, but still not had my 6 week check up. Finally going this wednesday. I have lots of questions and concerns, which i am hoping will be answered.
I wanted to ask though, how people felt after 12 weeks? I still suffer with pain, particularly in my back. I am trying not to use my crutch, but walking with with a gaping limp still, which is affecting my knees, which was the same pre op. My right knee crunches and swells as the day goes on. Plus i have a compressed nerve still in my non op side, which keeps me awake most nights. Thought by now i would be getting back to normal and ready for work.
Anyone else still suffering at 12 weeks?
View 33 Replies
Has anyone suffered with feeling very low 2 weeks after hip op my first hip op I didn't feel tearful but this one has made me feel tearful if I feel like it on Monday I will make appt with Dr.
View 43 Replies
I am now 3.5 weeks post op from second hip replacement this year. I feel like I am sitting on a golf ball, is it just muscle healing?
View 18 Replies
It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow that I've had my op and still get better days than others! Scar is healing well but a bit lumpy in places but I'm concerned about the pain behind my knee and occasionally when I walk unaided if I straighten my leg it starts to give way? I live out in the sticks and not yet started any physio because I have to arrange not only appt but how I'm going to get there? I am continuing with my exercises given in hospital!
im also suffering awful mood swings one minute I'm fine the next snapping at everyone because,of all the silly things, trying to do everything with one hand? I'm not sure even what sort of housework I should be avoiding or attempting at this stage?
View 30 Replies
Ok so it'll be 5 weeks tomor that I had my op and please excuse the language but I'm totally p*ssed off!!! Still not getting a good nights sleep despite amitriptyline taken before I go to bed! It's not so much the knee pain but the sciatica which seems to be getting worse not better? Went out yesterday for a mooch round the shops and had what I can only describe as a panic attack in the shopping centre was in pain from walking and felt like I was going to pass out? I'm meant to be returning to work a week tomorrow and seriously thinking I'm not ready? I only work Monday and Friday and 3 hrs alternative Saturdays so it's not too bad but still 8 hr days!! Think perhaps I should see gp this week as sick note only goes up to 12th July!
View 18 Replies
I'm wondering if someone can help me. I am 55 Yo woman who had a PKR. I'm having so many problems. I still use a cane. Terrible pain in the back of my knee. Is this normal? I've had many ortho surgeries and usually bounce back. I can't return to work because the pain is so bad.
View 22 Replies
I had Big Toe Replacement Op 10 weeks ago, I am still in pain and also have Tendonitis. I go to physio and can bend my toe, but the pain is no better than before the op.
View 4 Replies
My wound was leaking at one week post op , then continued till i had dressing change last monday . Dressing stayed dry all week , removed it this morning at 4 weeks post op so could have a shower then realised an arc of fluid was coming out of a central point in the wound - rest of the wound is fine and dry. Not painful and doesnt look infected but I wondered if anyone else has had a wound problem like this , and how long it lasted ?
View 30 Replies
Quickly my story...First THR went perfectly. It was an anterior approach method and within five weeks I was moving about like I had never had surgery. Second one went wrong within the first couple of weeks. My surgeon tried various procedures to help the situation but to no avail. Then I was kicked out of his practice because I missed two payments on my account and I was left writhing in pain, crippled, for life. That is how it felt. I could not move without screaming and I became depressed. My whole life was changed by this.
THEN I discovered this site and the wonderful people on here helped me go for a second opinion, taught me to research the surgeon first and I chose Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, about five hours from my home. That surgeon found the problem immediately, while the other could not, and it was that my device had come loose and was migrating, twisting and projecting outwards, hitting every nerve possible. So he did the successful revision! Revisions are tough.
Around 6 months post op I began to pray for a part time job and one surfaced almost immediately. A light duty janitorial job for two hours a day. And I can tell you that after laying around deteriorating for two years, it left me MORE than out of shape! The first two months at this job left me feeling that I was going to die! Oh my! I am 57 and never felt so weak in my life. I sweated, I mean drenched with sweat because the physical exertion was so difficult to do.
Then my newest hip began to hurt. An x-ray showed that there was no damage, so I just had to work out the kinks. I was very careful not to break the 90 degree rule and twist while breaking it. Now I am 10 and a half months post op and feel stronger, more flexible than I have in a long time.
It feels good to be back out among the living, earning a little money, and feeling a sense of accomplishment that the bad THR took away from me. And I job share with a friend who covers me when I cannot work. I am proud to say that I just accomplished working five days a week three weeks in a row!
After all that extreme pain I suffered, I want you to know that I am having many, many mornings when I awaken and feel absolutely no pain! I lay there and thank God for moments like this and try to just soak up the good feelings before I have to get up to begin my day.
When I was down and out with all that pain and failed device, that was all I could think about. Life all but stopped and sometimes I wished I were dead. Now I can reach higher levels of thinking. I have even meandered around my yard making mental notes of what needs done in the Spring and actually feeling as though I will be able to complete the tasks.
I want to send the message that no matter how bad off you are right now, it will, it can, get better. Just around the corner there is life as you knew it. And for those who are permanently in pain, know that my heart goes out to you and I admire how you survive. You ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO HEAL RIGHT, so be patient with yourself and your medical team and do what you are told to do. There is nothing wrong with stretching yourself to see where you new boundaries are as you progress, but do so carefully.
View 37 Replies
Is anyone past that time yet? Will this tight feeling in my hip eventually go away? I don't have pain however, I still can't walk a long way without the tight feeling bothering me.
View 40 Replies
I am three weeks post op having had a full knee replacement. My recovery is going well and I'm not using crutches or a walking stick but am still in a lot of pain and having to take painkillers. My question is I have developed loose bowels only once a day at my normal time but it has been going on for over a week now, I have no bloating or abdominal pain with it. I can only take paracetamol as I'm allergic to codeine and Nurofen I felt might be causing the upset stomach but I haven't taken them for nearly a week now. Has anybody else suffered diarrhoea after a TKR?
View 15 Replies
I ceased heavy pain medication a couple of weeks ago and that was a mistake. I am back on Norspan 10 mg patches and can now do all my exercises and achieve a few hours sleep before I need to top up with a Tramadol. I've lost 12 kgs in weight simply because my appetite diminished but now I'm trying to eat 3 meals a day and include protein at every meal instead of nibbling and feeling like I want to sleep all day.
I am allergic to many pain medications (unknown until post op) so pain was a big issue for me. If you are contemplating TKR's or have already had them, then get your pain medication stabilised and physio will be so much easier. I have also found hydrotherapy (pool walking) to be a god-send. Today is the first day post op that I feel any where like normal. I was a fit, energetic 63 year year old before my op and I hope to return to that state with much improvements in my knees, in the near future. I believe I will be looking at 6 months recovery time before I can resume a "normal" exercise program of spin, walking, boxing and weights.
No one tells you about the pain, the depression, the disruption to your life, especially not your surgeon. Just be patient, eat well, try to get a walk in each day or a swim and stay positive. At nearly 10 weeks I can see the light at the end of that long tunnel.
View 31 Replies
My recovery was going great. Could straighten to zero and 125 degree flexion. While at PT doing heel slides, knee locked up. Therapist said To stop doing them for now. Locked up last weekend while stretching and I couldn't straighten it for 24 hours. Saw surgeon's assistant and no issues showed up on plain X-ray ... I have a CT scan scheduled for this week. Locks up randomly while bending with normal activity (sitting for example). Can sometimes get it unlocked by stretching my heel up towards by back. Anyone have issues with your knee locking (will not straighten).
View 1 Replies
