How To Sleep After Knee Replacement

Is It Ok To Elevate Legs While Sleeping

When youre sleeping, when youre lying on the couch for a night of TV or movie-viewing, and even if you can get horizontal for a little while during the day, arrange some pillows in a comfortable formation to get your legs elevated 6 to 12 inches above your heart. Leg elevation, youll notice, feels good immediately.

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Find Out Your State Or Surgeons Protocol For Narcotic Refills

Patients are are now seeing a real bottleneck when attempting to get refills on narcotic pain meds. There are unwieldy regulatory hoops to jump through that differ by state all in the name of solving the opioid crisis. Some will limit the initial script to only a few days and mandate an in person doctor visit to get a refill.

Make sure you find out what the system entails before you are about to run out on a Friday night at 4pm and make sure you surgeons is committed to getting you enough quality meds to get you through the first two weeks.

Again its not impossible to make it through that time period without narcotics, but your rehab effectiveness goes down drastically, why waste that time?

Needless to say, you wont be sleeping well after your knee replacement surgery if you neglect this task.

The Best Positions To Sleep In After Joint Surgery

Discomfort and pain are the reason most patients have a hard time falling and staying asleep after surgery. As a result, many of us move around in an effort to get comfortable. This may not be the most helpful approach to sleeping after joint replacement surgery.

Here are some sleep positions for common joint surgeries that will keep you most comfortable and well-rested:

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Insomnia After Joint Replacement

One of the most common complaints after knee or hip replacement is difficulty sleeping. By six weeks after surgery, most people are having less pain in their new joint and increasing their activity. But they often lay awake at night, unable to sleep. Why does this happen and what can be done about it?

Many people have difficulty sleeping in the hospital immediately after surgery. This has many causes, including the stress response to surgery, cytokine release from soft tissue injury, the pain, medications, and the hospital environment. REM sleep is diminished for the first few days after surgery.

Surprisingly, there are no published studies on the frequency of sleep disturbance several weeks or months following joint replacement surgery. However, in one study of patients with broken bones, 41% of patients with shoulder fractures and 36% of patients with knee fractures had difficulty sleeping 3 months after the injury. Even a year later, 20% of patients still reported insomnia.

Insomnia after joint replacement surgery can have many causes. Pain and discomfort are common complaints. Narcotic pain medicines can also disrupt sleep patterns, and decrease the time spent in REM sleep.

Depression is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes the recovery period can be quite overwhelming. Symptoms can include persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Difficulty sleeping, loss of energy, anxiety, and irritability can also be symptoms of depression.

Take Pain Medications Prescribed Only By Your Doctor

Pain medications are an essential component of the rehabilitation regimen, especially during the early postoperative period.

There are a variety of useful medications, and the only person who can decide whats best for you is your doctor.

Some pain medications, such as ibuprofen, have an anti-inflammatory action, and some are sedatives.

There are various side effects associated with pain medications, such as gastric ulceration, kidney failure, hepatic impairment, bleeding tendencies, constipation, respiratory depression, and development of tolerance .

Therefore, a careful balance is required between optimum pain control and avoiding side effects.

I have prepared a list of recommendations that should be kept in mind while using pain medications:

• Never use pain medications without consulting your doctor.

• Pain medicine should be taken at bedtime so that you can have a pain-free night, ensuring good quality sleep.

• The dose and frequency of the medicines should be fully discussed, and understood by the patient.

• The WHO pain relief ladder should be followed: i.e. use non-opioids for mild pain, low-potency opioids for moderate pain, and strong opioids for severe and persistent pain. Adjuvant therapies should always be considered in order to minimize the use of pain medications.

• Beware the possible side effects of the painkillers, and discuss them with your doctor if you experience any.

• Pain medications should be discontinued as early as possible.

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Keeping The Legs Completely Straight

You may have seen some other brands of leg elevation pillows that feature a completely straight incline, with no bend for the knee. Theres also a good chance you have elevated your legs without bending the knee if you have ever put your feet up on a wall or the arm of a couch. However, keeping the legs completely straight puts a lot of strain on the muscles and tendons of the knee and can cause significant pain. Gently bending the knees is not only more comfortable, its also less likely to result in further injury.

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How To Reduce Swelling After Knee Surgery

This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado, specializing in internal medicine, diabetes, and weight management. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is board certified.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 32,352 times.

Swelling may be moderate to severe in the first few days after knee replacement surgery, but it will gradually subside as you recover. Still, you might experience some mild to moderate swelling in the weeks and months following your recovery. Luckily, there are several strategies you can try to reduce swelling, such as following your doctors instructions after surgery and trying out exercises meant to reduce swelling. If you experience an increase in swelling, tell your doctor right away.

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Pain After Knee Replacement

Like any other surgery, a knee joint replacement surgery is also painful and good care needs to be taken during the recovery period. Thus, sleeping correctly with the right amount of support is necessary.

A knee replacement surgery can cause you pain for some days. As you are recovering, the discomfort and pain may make it difficult to sleep. Managing the pain after the surgery includes finding the right sleep position so you can not only sleep comfortably but also speed up your recovery process. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, the tricks mentioned below may help.

How Long Do You Have Pain After Knee Replacement Surgery

It is usually normal to have some pain after surgery, but this pain generally improves with time. However, doctors can provide some pain relief until this happens.

In rare cases, pain may persist longer. Therefore, people who have ongoing or worsening pain should seek advice from their doctor, as there may be a complication.

The most common complication is that people dont like the way their knee works or they continue to have pain or stiffness.

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Other Good Sleep Habits To Practice Post Joint Surgery

Keep yourself on the road to recovery by getting the best nights sleep possible. If you continue to have sleeping problems, talk to your care provider. Some medicines inhibit sleep, but taking your pain medicine an hour before bed will reduce pain at night and restore your sleep cycle.

Also, as you increase your daily activity level, you should sleep better at night. Minimizing the use of electronic devices and caffeine close to bedtime can also help.

Above all, follow the pain management and sleep plan outlined by your Puget Sound Orthopaedics care provider to ensure you heal as quickly as possible.

Sweet dreams!

How To Sleep After Knee Replacement Surgery

• This article was written by Dr. Babar Naeem a licensed and practicing medical doctor to ensure maximum factual accuracy and unique content.

Sleeping after knee replacement surgery can be very difficult.

The main reasons why sleeping after knee replacement surgery is so difficult is due to the pain caused by the trauma of having the tissues cut, the limited range of sleeping positions, and the added stress placed upon the body when rehabilitation therapy begins.

So how can you sleep better after knee replacement surgery?

The most effective ways to sleep better after knee replacement surgery is to take doctor-prescribed pain medications sleep on your back with a pillow under the calf to keep the leg straight and use cold therapy to reduce pain and swelling only take sleep medications if advised by your doctor.

And what are some of the things that you should not do after knee replacement surgery?

After knee replacement surgery you should avoid sleeping on your stomach, bending the knee, putting a pillow under the knee so the leg is bent, crossing your legs, skipping medications, or taking medications not advised by your doctor.

In the rest of this article, I have used my knowledge and experience as a practicing medical doctor to give you 11 strategies for sleeping better after a knee replacement.

But of course, you should always seek medical guidance from your own doctor first for the best advice.

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Getting To Sleep Proper Knee Position Is Key

The following positions are meant to keep you as comfortable as possible during the recovery process:

• If you are a back sleeper be sure that your leg is elevated with enough pillows to keep your knee at or above your heart level to prevent blood clots and circulation issues. Try to keep it straight through out the night!
• When sleeping on your side, use a knee pillow between your knees for support and comfort. Try to keep your knees as straight as possible.
• If you sleep on your stomach be sure to let your food hang off the end of the bed with a small pillow or towel under the front of the knee to protect the incision. Laying in this position also helps with knee extension and range of motion.
• If you are sleeping in your old-faithful recliner, be sure to keep your knee elevated with pillows at or above your heart level for proper circulation and preventing clotting issues.

Try not to keep your knee bent too much for too long. It can be uncomfortable to keep your leg straight at times however, regaining your knee extension and range of motion is a difficult task if you let your knee stay bent for too long.

The better we sleep. The faster we heal.

Improve Your Sleeping Environment

A dark, cool, clean, and noise-free bedroom with a comfortable mattress is an ideal sleeping environment.

Although an ideal sleeping environment is different for different individuals, a few things are essential to make the space sleep-friendly.

Keep the Room Temperature at 18.3 Degrees Celsius

Experts have recommended a temperature of 18.3 degrees Celsius, or 65 degrees Fahrenheit, as the ideal bedroom temperature .

Your body temperature starts declining at the start of sleep, and this helps with the release of the sleep hormone, melatonin.

If the surrounding air is cool, then the onset of sleep will be faster, while a higher temperature will keep a person alert.

Limit Ambient Light and Light from Electronic Devices

Ambient light should be kept as low as possible for good sleep.

Exposure to light disturbs the circadian rhythm, as well as melatonin release.

A less-discussed source of light is the glow from mobile phones and electronics.

This type of light has the same tendency to disrupt our sleep as regular artificial light.

Moreover, these devices produce noise, and stimulate the brain center, keeping us awake.

I always recommend that my patients minimize the use of electronics in the evenings.

Mobile phones should be put on silent mode and flipped over for the night.

Block Out Noise With Earplugs

Noise is another factor that inhibits our sleep.

A quiet room helps to induce sleep early, while loud noises will cause sleep disruption and fragmentation.

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Best Wedge Pillows After Knee Replacement Surgery

A leg elevation pillow, also known as a wedge pillow, will be your best friend as you recover from knee replacement surgery. A knee replacement wedge pillow is perfect for elevation and support.

In the days following TKR surgery your doctor will make sure youre elevating your leg in the hospital. But it wont stop when you leave the hospital it didnt for me.

In the months after surgery youll develop a recovery routine.

Elevation, using the best wedge pillow for knee replacement, will likely become an essential part of your routine.

In this article, well discuss the best wedge pillow for knee replacement. Its an often-overlooked item that will help reduce swelling and inflammation in your leg.

Well also discuss why its important to elevate your knee after TKR, why having your knee at or above heart level helps, and how often you should elevate your knee after surgery.

Ill share my experience with knee surgery and the wedge pillow I used. Lastly, Ill share a few of my favorite wedge pillows for knee replacement recovery. Lets get started.

Answering Your Worst Fears On Knee Replacement Surgery

After 48 hours, your ability to drive will depend on the side you had your operation, left or right, and the type of vehicle you drive, manual or automatic. After any kind of surgery, choosing the right sleeping position is crucial to ensure a timely recovery.

Best multiple sclerosis blogs of 2020 healthy living. A meniscus repair is typically done with a scope by.

Csection recovery letting you know what to expect after. A meniscus tear is a common knee injury.

Pin on book an appointment. But if they dont work, you may need surgery.

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When Should I Call My Doctor If I Am Not Able To Sleep After Knee Replacement Surgery

Approximately half of all people experience insomnia after surgery. If you are having difficulty sleeping after your surgery, here is what you should do so that it does not interfere with your healing process.

• First, it is important to be proactive and start sleeping on the side of the injured knee so that it does not swell excessively during sleep.
• Second, try to refrain from taking any medications that might interfere with sleep.
• Third, you should take naps during the day if necessary to make up for lost sleep at night.
• Lastly, if you are having trouble sleeping at night, there are behavioral interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy or relaxation exercises that can help improve your sleep quality.

Note: Make sure to have a conversation with the doctor, too, considering the sleeping posture you need to adapt. It also depends on the surgery site too, and doctors will suggest you accordingly.

Following are the things a person can keep in mind after knee replacement surgery. If you are someone planning to go for surgery, make sure to approach the best orthopedic doctor in the town. For Rajasthan residents, Jaipur is the best city to approach for it.

Here you can approach Dr. Arun Partani at Partani Clinic in Jaipur. He is among the best knee replacement surgeons in the town and is a part of over 1000+ surgeries in his career till yet.

How To Assist Your Recovery After Discharge

To ensure your recovery process is as successful as possible, its important to follow your orthopedic surgeons directions as closely as possible. After discharge from the hospital, you will need to:

• Perform strength and mobility exercises and attend physical therapy.
• Maximize rest to minimize the risk of falls
• Use an assistive device such as a walker or cane
• Treat pain, discomfort and swelling with medication, cold packs and elevation

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Things No One Ever Tells You About Getting A Knee Replacement

Heres what you need to know thats not in the brochure: 1. You might not be a good candidate.A study published last year by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond questioned the value of knee replacement for some of the people rushing to get it. After analyzing data from a large study of men and women who had the operation, the researchers found that fully one-third of them were not actually good candidates for the surgery, which is why they got only a very modest benefita 2-point improvement on a common measure of knee function, compared with a 20-point improvement for people who started out with really bad knees.

“Pain that doesnt go away and moderate to severe arthritis are necessary for a knee replacement to do its job,” Lajam says. “If you have the surgery, but its actually a problem of nerve pain, hip pain, or circulation, its not going to help you.” The advice here is not to wait until your knees are completely destroyed before seeking surgery, but to make sure that youve tried other measures first and that you meet both criteriaconsistent pain and advanced arthritis.

What Should I Expect

Its important to note that everyone has different pain level tolerances, and no two cases are the same because our knees are complex joints. Knees are the second-largest joints in the body, after the hip joints. As such, a knee replacement is a complicated surgery that involves balancing ligaments, cutting into the bones of the knee joint, and replacing parts of the knee joint with artificial parts. The manipulation of the knee joint to place the parts leads to the pain after the procedure. Postoperative pain after knee replacement surgery is related to the healing, stretching, bending, and rotating that the knee must do after surgery.

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