Sleeping Positions After Anterior Hip Replacement.

After anterior hip replacement, the common complaints the patient is about is difficulty or trouble sleeping. Recovering from a hip replacement surgical treatment can take time also be painful. The best way to control your pain is to sleep in a position that reduces the pain. It’s necessary to follow these sleeping precautions for 6 to 12 weeks after hip replacement surgery, depending on your health and personal recovery.

You can sleep on both sides. However, you need to always have pillows between your legs to prevent them from crossing and knee bending. The sleeping positions after anterior hip or hip replacement is given below.

Do

• Sleep on your back; don’t put a pillow under the knee of your operated leg because it could cause the formation of a blood clot and cause a permanent bend in your knee.
• If you want to sleep on your side, lie on your non-operative side and be sure that two pillows are lined between your legs, and try to avoid bending your legs. The pillows should prevent your top leg from moving forward across your body, which can trigger pressure on.
• Sleep on a firm mattress or bed.
• Change positions if you become uncomfortable.

Do Not

• Sleep on your stomach.
• Sleep with pillows under your knees.
• Turn or twist your leg or toes inward.
• Cross your legs and ankles.
• Reach to pull up the covers from a lying-down position.

These are the sleeping positions after anterior hip or hip replacement that you should follow. But here is a question that how long until you can sleep normally?

Learn More About Anterior Hip Replacement Precautions

How Long Until You Can Sleep Normally?

For at least six weeks, it’s recommended to avoid sleeping on your affected side. Instead, listen to your body when your doctor gives you the okay, and only lie on your operating side when you’re comfortable.

Follow Your Pain Management Plan

Your doctor will prescribe a pain management plan for you before leaving the hospital after your operation. Appropriate pain management strategies, such as narcotic drugs and anti-inflammatories, can reduce following total hip replacement. After surgery, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s instructions for several weeks. This will help your sleep as well as contribute significantly to your recovery.