can i sleep on my side after ankle surgery

After gallbladder surgery, your incisions will be on the right side of your belly where your gallbladder is. thanks in advance. Pain is the most common cause of sleep disruption. I did not use reclainer did use special bed rest pillow heavy one it has arm support which helps to get up from bed. If you practice a little sleep management, you will be less likely to force yourself into a painful position during your recovery time. Tip #3: Keep Your Ankle Immobilized. Ive had great progress except my ankle and foot swoll up huge on my surgical leg. Sleep is hugely important for fighting mental exhaustion and hitting your emotional reset to put your all into recovery. Thanks for your advice I am 6 weeks post TKR & am still having problems sleeping. In fact, ankle surgery ranks among the seven most painful surgical procedures. I am finding your blogs very informative. The first few nights my wife slept in the spare bedroom. Make sure its flat under the entire leg, not just the knee as it causes the leg to bend. Although I am walking without assistance of any aids, I am concerned that my leg is not as straight as it should be. Use pillows between legs for 6 weeks or more more. My leg is still stiff in the morning and after sitting at my desk at work. Had my surgery on April 23rd. Keep the pillow under the calf and knee as it will prevent the knee from unnecessary pressure and keep it straight. Some people find that they need to continue sleeping with a pillow between their legs long term, while others find that they eventually dont need it at all. You DO have to put the boot back on before you put your feet down in the morning. Sleeping on your back is one of the best positions to adapt after knee replacement surgery. Stabilize yourself with other pillows set up around you to prevent tossing and turning. The pain is gone and youre ready to start living your life again. Im sure you could provide much better advice and insight than I could. At this time I was no longer using the walker. Youll feel tired and sleepy initially when you are taking pain medication. I slightly elevated the foot and slept on my side with the foot leaning on the good side (Little toe side!). All of these positions help to take the pressure off of your new hip joint and allow for a more comfortable and restful sleep. 3. During the first 4 weeks, I never slept through the night without waking up and readjusting my position. Take your pain medications as directed. Thanks so much! It was perfect for elevating the leg and also for sleeping. I hope this article helps you sleep better after your TKR surgery. Its 3am and Im reading your article. Focus on your workouts and do your best not to skip them or cheat. As your hips, knees, and ankles move, make sure they stay still. I had no swelling and very little bruising. allbluezoo. After 48 hours you may sleep flat on your back, you may not sleep on your stomach or sides for four weeks. Dont have your blanket tucked in at all . Keep your cast or bandage dry and do not change it. I think reading ur article has helped as it shows things will get better. During the first week, make sure your walker is placed in easy reaching distance from the bed. I have been using a beanbag to put it beside my left foot to try and keep it straight However my biggest problem after surgery is pins and needles in the bottom my foot and it feels like a solid bar of soap on the bottom my foot still have it after six weeks. Elevating the ankle and icing the affected area can help to limit swelling. In addition, your doctor may advise you to continue taking prescribed medications. It is not acceptable to have an angle greater than 90 degrees between your hip and your leg. Good luck with yours cryocuff is like small coolar, make sure you know what size cuff no returns. I go back for my next check up on Mon. As BTKR is a much less common operation, I have been struggling to find relevant advice. The pain is still much better than before surgery. He is among the best knee replacement surgeons in the town and is a part of over 1000+ surgeries in his career till yet. Preparation extends beyond getting your house ready and setting up a support system; a pre-surgery diet and exercise program will aid in your recovery, making it less difficult and perhaps quicker than rehabilitation and recovery might otherwise be. Wish you the best! 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. I wish I had seen your blog much earlier. If you choose to sleep on the operative side, you should wait to do so until after the six-week mark. Position 1: is with your surgical knee down on the mattress. This position will help with swelling. People who have just undergone surgery 2 commonly complain of sleep disturbances. I hope my article gives you a few ideas to make sleeping easier for you. If you live in a cold climate and have your surgery in the winter it may be uncomfortable to keep heavy bedding on your knee while sleeping on your back. On the third day post surgery we had to be out to doctors and pharmacy to get meds changed. What is the purpose of knee replacement surgery? I started using this a lot and saved myself a ton of pain. For instance, you'll get drunk way faster after experiencing gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. At the end of the second week, I was sleeping on my stomach for 30 minutes to an hour each night. Good luck to everyone in here. Any comments, pro or con? The more activity that you do during the day, the chances for a better nights sleep will improve. Surgery needs to be performed soon after your ankle has been put back in place because surgeons cannot operate on an overly swollen ankle. For any questions that you still have regarding FTM or FTNB top surgery related issues, please feel free to contact us either by phone at (480) 451-3000 or by email . I am 13 days from having bilateral knee replacements how can I sleep on my side, What a great article thank you for sharing. John Oyston, an anesthesiologist in Toronto. Glad to hear you made it home safely. Im curious if I was on the wrong side! Sleeping was very difficult for me because Im a stomach sleeper. It can help you to prevent further neck injuries. Thank you. Elevating an injury for too long can also do this, and both of these issues can slow down your body's natural healing process. The best way to fall asleep after knee replacement was working hard during physical therapy until I was exhausted. But its hard to get comfortable at work. In a recliner, you can still place a wedge pillow under your leg for elevation. I made sure my toes dangled over the edge of the bed so my knee was able to straighten out. Its affordable and I prefer leather because its easier to clean. I read but for only short periods of time early on. Smoking increases the risk of breathing complications and wound infections after surgery. Do not sleep on your surgical side until your physician has said it's okay. I am on day 6 after bilateral total knee replacements and felt like it was insane how little sleep I have found! The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint. Was afraid to tell him. If you're going to wrap your ankle, it is best to put the bandage on first thing in the morning, and then take it off at bedtime. You may notice that your sleeplessness coincides with spikes of pain. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. If that doesn't work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible. The drugs & machines are gone and so is the sleep. By the way Im 56 yrs old with RA from the age of 21,1st TKR due to have the other in a few months time. I did, however, sleep a lot in the recliner during the day so the change of location to the bed was welcome. Im thinking by October. At my 2 week follow up next Wednesday, my surgeon wants me at 105 flexion. This is dependent on how quickly you recover from your surgery and what type of surgery you have. The therapy workouts help but youll need to keep your mind busy too. Dr. John Tiberi, M.D., is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder and elbow reconstruction. Hopefully, I have now found a solution to the swelling. I soon learned that I needed a second bottle as I frequently filled the first bottle during the night. The wedge pillow worked well as did one or two conventional pillows under my leg. On Nov 6, 2019 I had TKR on my left knee. My one question is about how to balance my ankles when in bed so that they will not turned in the wrong direction and cause my leg not to be lined up in the same as my knee . Your wound wont rub on your pants and doing therapy will be easier. Side sleeping is preferred by many people. So glad that I did. Best wishes to you and your recovery! Here are a few tips to keep your new hip in tip-top shape. The same is the scenario when you are sleeping on your operative side. I am on Coumadin for another 2 weeks and will also continue to take aspirin as I have been as well. Once I began to wean off the pain medication I found it harder to sleep for sustained periods of time. After a few weeks, youll be sleeping better. However, you will need to wear your protective eye shield while you sleep for at least the first several days after your surgery. It has been really hard. Thank you. Do you have to be married to be a stepparent? It is one of the most common complaints after total joint replacement. After the first night in my own bed (alone, as my wife has decided to sleep in the spare room), I was a bit concerned that I wasnt lying in bed as I perhaps should. Bending is no problem. Sleeping was so difficult early on. 4 to 6 months is a good rule of thumb when it comes to going back to sleeping. Hoping in the end I will have two good knees. I can, however, walk several miles in a day and my ROM is very good. Remember that the goal of a successful and comfortable recovery is to make your body feel as comfortable as possible. | All About Cataracts Other areas Symptoms Find out about all the signs and appearance of cataracts. If you wear glasses I suggest you have a pair of glasses on your nightstand as well. Sleep on your back or on the opposite side of the eye that was operated on to decrease your risk of infection and irritation after surgery. The knee joint is the largest joint in the body, and it is prone to wear and tear over time. After stomach surgery, you will be required to sleep propped up on your back for 48 hours, and then you can lay flat on your back. I used the 64-ounce bottle with a built-in straw that I brought home from the hospital. Here are a few reasons why: Ideally, youll want to sleep on your back. I started out doing this during the day then gradually tried it at night. Can you sleep on your side after knee replacement surgery? document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What symptoms may indicate that I need a Hip Replacement? Sleeping isnt easy! Which leads to no sleep. Had my left knee done on 2/6/2020. In my opinion, the key is to keep moving/trying especially in those first few months. I was so happy to sleep for two and a half hours last night but them woke up for another two hours where my leg was so stiff. It is possible that hip replacement surgery will be necessary if hip pain interferes with ones daily activities. Typically, swelling after ankle surgery can last for 3 to 4 months, depending on the severity of your condition and the complexity of your surgery. Thanks. Place a pillow between your knees. I wouldn't put the entire thing under my stomach, just enough to support the tummy so that it wouldn't fall down further than the center. I made the big decision to have knee replacement and I havent looked back. I am so very nervous about my impending TKR surgery scheduled for Nov. 11, 2019. If you are considering TKR, speak with your doctor about preparation, exercise, recovery, and equipment. for knee replacement patients, having a leg raised). I tend to do what nurses say, which was not use pillows under the legs, so I read your ideas out pillows under my legs and got some sleep. If you start to feel any pain or discomfort while sleeping on your side, stop and talk to your surgeon. Youll have to experiment as time goes by. What is the recovery time for knee replacement surgery? Use two or more two pillows on the top of the wedge to keep the legs straight. It was an expense however I have both knees and another hip to do! Doc told me at the 3 week check up that I couldnt hurt my knee and I was good to go. Knee replacement surgery is major surgery, and a person needs to be sure about a lot of things after it. Is it safe to put the new knee under the weight of the other leg while side sleeping? Even though your incision is covered, the first few days the wound is still healing and cleanliness is important. I was anxious as well. If the pillows are not stable enough, or you need to raise the foot and ankle region higher, a wedge shaped foam block can also help. The damaged sections of the hip joint are removed by a surgeon and replaced with parts made of metal, ceramic, and extremely hard plastic. The Homall recliner pictured (right) is similar to the one I use at home. You may be putting too much stress on the artificial joint if you engage in high-impact activities, such as running or playing basketball. Treatment Details on cataract surgery and what to expect. Side-sleeping raises the risk of dislocation than sleeping on your back. Copyright 2022 | Dust Mite Solutions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC I was afraid it was going to really hold back my progress. Hi, thank you for giving out your ideas on how to help everyone after having knee replacement. I have not been able to sleep in my bed yet except for three hours but I keep trying every day but it is so uncomfortable in every position. Its something Id like to own. If you are someone planning to go for surgery, make sure to approach the best orthopedic doctor in the town. Getting in and out of bed is important and the height of your bed can make a difference. This is so unusual for me. good luck with yours. Sleeping in an elevated position is mandatory after breast augmentation to avoid complications. Id fall asleep quickly when I laid down but because I needed pain medication and couldnt stay in a comfortable position, I woke up constantly. I had two or three within easy reach. Thank you for your article. I had my TKR (left knee) 8 weeks ago and have been forced to sleep on my back ever since because I cant find any other position thats not painful to my knee. A knee replacement requires a safe sleeping position similar to a hip replacement. An individual needs to be sure about how tosleep after the knee replacement surgeryso that the artificial joint will not have any effect. What side of the bed works for right leg TKR? Ive really enjoyed ready about your entire process and your suggestions for items needed and planning to be done ahead of time. At least you know what to expect and what to focus on. Find a good surgeon and I bet youll be in good hands. I had such a bad night until I found your article. Disorders that cause unusual bone growth. Also, make sure you can reach a lamp from your sleeping position. Back to solitaire that helps take mind off the no sleep thing. All the best and thanks for reading. I have found some relief sleeping on my surgical side (right side) & resting my left knee on a body pillow That is placed along my right side. This is also the same time I was wondering if surgery was the correct decision. Thanks for reading! Main conclusion, I dont think I am icing enough, so will try that, especially before bed. As days go by and the swelling and pain decrease youll be able to experiment with different sleeping positions. Your surgeon can tell you when it is safe to sleep on your affected side. Any advise. Glad my experience could help. Im assuming nerves regenerating as well as tender post surgery skin. Use those first weeks for rest and recovery, during which time youll be in a non-weight-bearing boot, moving to a protected weight-bearing boot after one month for another 4 weeks. If you have had surgery on your stomach, it goes without saying that laying on your stomach is possibly a bad idea. Ice packs can help you reduce the swelling in your foot and they can also take away some of the pain you might feel after your surgery. If you can sleep on your back, great. Make sure to sleep on the non-operative side because if you sleep on the operative side, it will put a lot of pressure on the surgery site and can lead to swelling and pain. Have been sleeping on my side now for 4 days and thought it may be a mistake. I had my left knee done on Dec 24th. Take your pain medication as directed, and allow sufficient time for it to take effect just before you are ready for sleep. When elevated, the leg should be supported from the hip to the foot. There are several reasons you want to get all of your daily recommended vitamin C, which is 90 mg for adult men and 75 mg for adult women: It acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Have been doing prescribed exercises for a week. Stay motivated! As I transitioned to Tylenol I began using 1 or 2 pillows to elevate my leg during the night. We should always listen to our nursesbut I hope you get some sleep. In this position you may choose to use pillows to support the surgical leg . Doctor recommended Benadryl, Melatonin, and then Trazodone, but none of that is helping. Dont panic if youre struggling to fall asleep after TKR surgery. Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction is a surgery to tighten and firm up one or more ankle ligaments on the outside of your ankle. It will feel stiff and tight in the evening and I wake up many times during the night with it feeling painful to even move. Wishing you the best! Exact Answer: After 6 weeks. I am 67. It was nice to get off of my back even for short periods of time. Great info! The doctors don't recommend sleeping on the stomach after surgery. Sleep in any position you find comfortable. My surgical team was so thorough from pre-surgery exercises, what to expect, to even a caregiver seminar. However, some people may experience hip pain when they sleep on their back, and may need to sleep on their side or stomach instead. Naps are perfect when icing and elevating during the day. The ice machine should be kept in a cool place for about two weeks. At this point you may sleep on your side. I can sleep on both sides now when I sleep which isnt very well. Im still not able to sleep in bed. Thanks so much for your most informative blog! Having surgery during warm weather also allows you to wear shorts. Two main types of drugs figure in post-operative pain management: opiate and non-opiate medications. I considered sleeping in the recliner at night when I was having trouble sleeping in bed. Following hip replacement surgery, your risk of developing a blood clot in your legs increases significantly. Once you're cleared to sleep on your side, there are a few things you can do to make the transition as comfortable as possible. A cool device is to put your socks in, place your foot in, and pull up on two ropes while wearing your socks on your legs. I hope you experience the same! I went back to work after 9 weeks off. Wish both could be done at the same time but Dr. says no. As a result, I went way overboard in movement today and in pretty bad pain now. It is preferable to sleep side-by-side than on your back. This gives ample time for the breast bone to heal after surgery. . Re: Sleeping on your side after surgery. Avoid any heavy lifting or intense exercise that involves the upper body during this time. It has also moved out of place. Thanks for letting us all know that sleep issues are very common. Causes. If being able to sleep on your side is important and you have not been given explicit clearance to do so - please do not hesitate to ask. You will have to wait at least 2 to 3 weeks minimum before you are able to sleep on your side. Drinking fluids is very important to help rid the body of the drugs used in surgery. A lot of patients also experience post-op depression. 1- Don't Take Sleeping Pills. It helps your ankle keep its shape - As we sleep, our entire body becomes more relaxed. Work hard in therapy, stay moving, and best wishes! Yesterday on Oct 15th, they cut off my fibreglass cast and got me into the removable AirCast boot, but still NWB for 2 weeks. If you have any pain when you sleep on your back, you should talk to your doctor or surgeon to see if they have any recommendations on how to best position yourself to avoid pain. When you recover from hip replacement surgery, you should not fall asleep on your stomach. You may need to use a pillow to prop up your leg and keep your hip in alignment. It's an issue if you get active too quickly, says Jonathan Whiteson, MD, director of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at Rusk Rehabilitation Center at NYU Langone . Hi Im Ken. My recovery was awful, feeling like I was losing my mind extreme pain and lots of confusion. Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees. Thanks for the comment. Im SO tired I think I may go mad. In the days and weeks after surgery, you'll likely be told to avoid putting too much (if any) weight on your foot, avoid unnecessary physical labor, and rest as much as possible. Patients can use pillows to prop up their beds and maintain a bent posture while sleeping. This is a more general suggestion that works even if you don't feel any pain or aren't recovering from surgery. Second is 2 months after tracking. I had bilateral hips done in Dec 2017, I truly think it was easier. Im 66 years old and had my TKR on June 8. Many patients are unaware of how to sleep after shoulder surgery, so weve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you. Its important to keep your surgical leg elevated while youre sleeping but to not put pillows directly behind your knee (this can cause stiffness and put you at a greater risk for a manipulation). I get very sick and vomit a lot when I take Pain Meds..I had a spinal fusion back on Jan. 3, 2017 and I was put on Tramadol for painI took only half of the prescribed amount. Every day is a little easier but holy moly I cant wait to be able to be in less pain! It is just impossible to find a position that works. Needless-to-say, sleeping wont be easy in the first few days after knee replacement. I need to have left knee TKR. I get my staples out on Monday. Thanks again. That will help. While sleeping in my recliner I always used the wedge pillow, a throw pillow under my thigh, and a folded bed pillow under my ankle. In time Im sure youll start sleeping better it takes a while. Although there are few restrictions, you should still avoid sleeping on your stomach -. It is preferable to leave your surgical leg elevated while sleeping rather than to place pillows directly behind your knee. Your ankle is a hinge joint that allows motion up and down, and from side to side. Right now my ROM in my right knee is 98% bend on my own & 104% bend with the help of the Physical Therapist. Its a long process but worthwhile. Use a timer. It is critical to take good care of your new hip after hip replacement surgery. Its been 2 weeks in the recliner. Again, you'll need to elevate your affected ankle. Keep it Cool Cracking a window, turning the heat down, or turning on a fan can help you sleep. How long does the pain last after ORIF? I just read all the stories from people commenting and have an immense amount of relief from them. This promotes healing and normal physical functions and also reduces the chance of some complications, including pneumonia. My doctor said no to both being done at the same time and I can totally understand why, it is better to focus on one at a time to get the movement etc going as quick as possible. Since youre not exerting any physical energy while sleeping, your body can channel this energy into healing. You can sleep comfortably and safety on your side, as long as a pillow or other support is between your knees. Later in my recovery, I could sleep in two positions and during the 3rd week I spent a short amount of time on my stomach. If youre having trouble stopping in the first place, ask your doctor what smoking alternatives are acceptable until you can quit completely. If you have any questions about your surgery, please contact your surgeon. Yes, covers sliding over top of knees is like nails on chalkboard. How long does it take to heal a hip replacement? You need to keep the boot close to you on the floor or on your nightstand so you can reach it easily. Ill begin with day 1 in the hospital and continue through day 28 of my recovery. In 2013, researchers at Brigham and Womens Hospital found that direct trauma greatly impacts the chemical balance of fat tissues located both near and away from the trauma site these chemicals are known to communicate with nearby and distant organs. You may notice that your sleeplessness coincides with spikes of pain. Thank you for the article. I enjoyed therapy except for cycling one as it exzousts me and make the knee to pain more. If you can sleep on your back, great. One of the best things about coming home after open-heart surgery is sleeping in your own bed. When deciding which bed youll sleep in make sure its close to a bathroom and that youre sleeping on the side nearest the bathroom. Stayed in in-patient rehab for a week. A few nights I got another 2 hours or so of sleep in the recliner but that hasnt been happening lately. Lift your legs cautiously while rolling your body over your back or on edge. Michelle. A cast or medical boot can allow your ankle to begin healing. I had my surgery in May so I did not need much bedding. Thanks for the comment. Sleep routines ensure you feel sleepy always at the same time, and are a great aid in falling and staying asleep. Immediately after your procedure, your ankle is immobilized (kept from moving) for several weeks. You should stay on your non-operational side if you want to continue to do so. Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees. and I have an adjustable bed. Each day at the end of the 3rd workout I was relieved and worn out. There are several things that you should keep near the bed. Yes, the cycling is tough at the beginning but Id encourage you to continue at your doctor/physical therapist discretion. Fluids: Fluids are critical following surgery. You need to keep the boot close to you on the floor or on your nightstand so you can reach it easily. After a nights sleep everything is better. It is normal to see improvement in the first year after surgery. Its been 3 weeks since my TKR. As long as the wound is healed you should be okay. There is no wrong way to sleep after hip replacement surgery, so do whatever is most comfortable for you. Also make sure that your foot is above heart level. Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevationkeeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. It interferes with your sleep. The purpose of knee replacement surgery is to replace an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial one. If sleeping on your back in bed is challenging, you can also try a recliner. When you have undergone knee replacement surgery, it is necessary to take good care of your new knee. I found your article very helpful and easy to read. When to Call the Doctor The body needs it to make collagen, a protein required to help wounds heal. I believe I was able to do so because I was heavily medicated. I am having 1st knee done in June and 2nd in Oct. Hopefully that is not too close together. Keep your legs elevated for about 15 minutes. An adjustable bed would help with finding a comfy position and with leg elevation. You can sleep comfortably and safety on your side, as long as a pillow or other support is between your knees. 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