This article was reviewed and co-authored by Dr. John Tiberi, M.D.,OS (board-certified orthopaedic surgeon). Show
Ripping the blankets off. Pulling the blankets up. Fluffing your pillow. Throwing a pillow to the ground. Tossing and turning. Groaning and moaning. Few things are more frustrating than lying awake at night unable to sleep. Pair sleeplessness alongside total exhaustion and uncontrolled pain, and you’ve got a recipe for a post-op breakdown. It seems unfair that after enduring a joint replacement surgery that’s been stressful on your mind and body, you’ve found yourself unable to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s very common that those recovering from a hip or knee replacement find themselves unable to sleep at night. It’s a double-edged sword: your body needs sleep to recover from the procedure, however, it’s the pain and side-effects of surgery that are contributing to your insomnia. Read on as we share why you’re not sleeping and what you can do to fall asleep and stay asleep. Why Sleep Matters for Your RecoveryChances are, you already know that sleeplessness is affecting your mood and impacting your recovery. However, do you know that in the first weeks of recovery, sleep is extra important? Here’s why sleep matters more than ever.
3 Reasons Why You’re Not Sleeping at NightDepending on the stage of recovery you’re in, there may be a few things contributing to your lack of sleep. Pain is a likely underlying reason you’re awake at night. In addition to the pain culprit, there are other contributors that are creating your ‘perfect storm’ of sleeplessness. Let’s break em’ all down.
Tips to Get to Sleep…and Stay Asleep!Like the number of factors that are working together and causing you to lie awake at night, a bunch of things work together to help you sleep better. By employing a handful of tactics that are proven to promote better sleep, you should be able to catch more zzz’s at night. Here are some tips you can follow ASAP, to rest easy.
Safe Sleeping Positions: Do’s and Don’tsNot being able to sleep in your go-to position can certainly keep you up at night. Unfortunately, when it comes to the safety of your new artificial implant, there are some positions that are off-limits. It’s important that you stick to safe positions and pay attention to your body. Around the 6 week mark, once your physician gives you the greenlight, you may be able to return to sleeping in your preferred position (such as on your stomach or surgical side). Until then, stick to these positions. Safe Hip Replacement Sleeping Positions:Physicians Note: Sleep restrictions are tied to stability precautions. There are more sleep precautions for the posterior approach than the anterior approach. Ask your physician about positional precautions for sleeping to see if she/he have any for your joint replacement type. For instance, Dr. Tiberi adds that, “The position recommendations are variable. Personally, I don’t have any hip replacement position restrictions on sleep.”
Note: It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after hip replacement surgery. Do not attempt to lie in this position. It is also unsafe (and painful) to sleep on your surgical side. Consult your doctor to see if there are other positions you should avoid. After the 6 week mark, speak to your care team again to see if it’s safe for you to return to other sleeping positions. Safe Knee Replacement Sleeping Positions:
Note: It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after knee replacement surgery. Do not attempt to lie in this position. It is also unsafe (and painful) to sleep on your surgical side. Consult your doctor to see if there are other positions you should avoid. After the 6 week mark, speak to your care team again to see if it’s safe for you to return to other sleeping positions. Your recovery requires all the dedication and energy you have. If you’re not sleeping properly through the night, your batteries aren’t getting fully charged. Having a joint replacement? Sign-up for PeerWell and you may be able to PreHab on your smartphone alongside proactive peers! John Tiberi, M.D.,OS is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in minimally-invasive hip and knee replacement surgery and reconstructions. He attended medical school at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. Dr. Tiberi completed his fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a published orthopedic in journals such as The Journal of Arthroplasty, Journal of Bone Joint Surgery (JBJS), and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Dr. Tiberi is the winner of Dana M. Street Orthopaedic Research Award. In pain? Preparing for surgery? PeerWell Health helps you fast forward to better with 1:1 doctor visits, physical therapy, and a custom at-home program for your condition. What helps pain at night after knee replacement?Pain After Knee Replacement. Sleeping on Your Back. The best sleeping position just after your surgery is sleeping on your back. ... . Sleeping on Your Side. ... . Sleeping on Your Stomach. ... . Taking Medicines 1 Hour Before Sleeping. ... . Icing Your Knee to Dull the Pain Before Sleeping. ... . Using a Wedge Pillow.. Why can't I sleep at night after knee replacement?It's common to have trouble sleeping because of pain. One of the most common complaints after total joint replacement is difficulty sleeping. The most common cause of sleep disruption is pain. It has been reported that more than half of patients wake up with pain after joint replacement.
How long does TKR night pain last?Total knee replacement patients will often complain of a 'toothache of the knee' for the first three months, a nagging pain that's worse at night. At least in part, this is an effect of having a foreign body in your system – the body's immune response is to fight the metal and plastic of an implant.
Is it normal for my knee to be sore after sleeping after having an a surgery?You may experience some knee pain during daily activities and at night for several weeks following your surgery. Bending and kneeling may be uncomfortable. These side effects should subside with proper recovery and care.
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