Re: sleeping on your side?

[Guest guest]

Yip, this sounds about right... When you are laying on the hip you are

putting pressure on it, which will inflame it slightly more. It is already

inflamed, by the way. This is normally harmless. If there is any indication

of lasting swelling, heat and such from the area, this could indicate an

infection (no, your description doesn't sound like you have one).

Mine continued to do this for up to about the 8th week. Moving is the best

way to speed recovery, so do that as much as you PT says too.

You cannot damage one of these by sleeping on it. Hitting a banana peel in

the parking lot, maybe. Think of it this way: When you are fully recovered,

you can walk as much as you want. Walking puts vastly more wear and tear on

the hip than sleeping, and it still is virtually nothing. You should be

fine. FWIW, I just took a huge header off my bike a few weeks ago, landed

on the hip and am fine -- albeit still a bit bruised

Cheers and good luck

Jeff

rBHR Aug. 1, 2001

Mr. McMinn

>Hello, and thank you in advance for your response to my question! I am 4

>wks post-op today and have found within the last couple of nights that I

can

>lay on my right hip without discomfort, but that my left hip is still a

bit

>too tender for comfort. After attempting these positions for a couple of

>nights, I find that both hips are a bit swollen this morning. Not painful

>or red, just a bit more swollen (most of the swelling had already gone

>away). Anyone else had this experience? I hope I haven't compromised

either

>new hip by putting pressure on the prosthesis. Any ideas, experience, or

>suggestions?

>Dianne, Bil C+, 8-25-03, Dr. Crofford

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online from McAfee.

>http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dianne

I had a bilateral as well - Dr. Amstutz C+ 5/8/03 - and was told to

only sleep on my back for the first 6 weeks, which is exactly what I

did, though I hated it. Six weeks to the date though I couldn't wait

to try sleeping on my side and even on my stomach. I was able to lay

on either side and found that placing a pillow between my legs did

help make it much more comfortable. I also found that one side was a

bit more comfortable than the other. I also didn't have much

difficulty sleeping on my stomach - though it wsa a little strange at

first. I did not develop any swelling from sleeping on my side

though - so you might possibly be moving a little quick. Though

sleeping on your back all night may be uncomfortable - actually

miserable as far as I was concerned - it is only for 6 weeks relative

to all else that you have to look forward to.

Best wishes,

Joe

> Hello, and thank you in advance for your response to my question!

I am 4

> wks post-op today and have found within the last couple of nights

that I can

> lay on my right hip without discomfort, but that my left hip is

still a bit

> too tender for comfort. After attempting these positions for a

couple of

> nights, I find that both hips are a bit swollen this morning. Not

painful

> or red, just a bit more swollen (most of the swelling had already

gone

> away). Anyone else had this experience? I hope I haven't

compromised either

> new hip by putting pressure on the prosthesis. Any ideas,

experience, or

> suggestions?

> Dianne, Bil C+, 8-25-03, Dr. Crofford

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online from

McAfee.

> http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[Guest guest]

, I *had* to get off my back at 9 days as I'd already developed a

pressure sore on my tail from lying on my back. It came up so fast! When I

showed the physio the sore spot and she showed me safe ways of sleeping on

my side, with plenty of pillows between my legs. I was worried about lying

on my side so early, but she got a second opinion, to reassure me, bless

her. The pressure sore is almost gone, and I do spend a few minutes on my

back now, doing my bed exercises again, or changing from the side position

briefly. Tomorrow it is 4 weeks post-op, and the printed sheet from the

hospital says after 4 weeks " there are no restrictions " , and so I'm going to

try - tentatively - getting onto my operated side, even if only for a few

minutes. If it doesn't work, I can always wait a bit longer.

Anyone want to comment? My physio is away for the 2-week school holiday

and so is my surgeon.

Virginia

>

>Reply-To: surfacehippy

>To: surfacehippy

>Subject: Re: sleeping on your side?

>Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 21:54:00 -0000

>

>Hi Dianne

>

>I had a bilateral as well - Dr. Amstutz C+ 5/8/03 - and was told to

>only sleep on my back for the first 6 weeks, which is exactly what I

>did, though I hated it. Six weeks to the date though I couldn't wait

>to try sleeping on my side and even on my stomach. I was able to lay

>on either side and found that placing a pillow between my legs did

>help make it much more comfortable. I also found that one side was a

>bit more comfortable than the other. I also didn't have much

>difficulty sleeping on my stomach - though it wsa a little strange at

>first. I did not develop any swelling from sleeping on my side

>though - so you might possibly be moving a little quick. Though

>sleeping on your back all night may be uncomfortable - actually

>miserable as far as I was concerned - it is only for 6 weeks relative

>to all else that you have to look forward to.

>

>Best wishes,

>Joe

>

>

>

> > Hello, and thank you in advance for your response to my question!

>I am 4

> > wks post-op today and have found within the last couple of nights

>that I can

> > lay on my right hip without discomfort, but that my left hip is

>still a bit

> > too tender for comfort. After attempting these positions for a

>couple of

> > nights, I find that both hips are a bit swollen this morning. Not

>painful

> > or red, just a bit more swollen (most of the swelling had already

>gone

> > away). Anyone else had this experience? I hope I haven't

>compromised either

> > new hip by putting pressure on the prosthesis. Any ideas,

>experience, or

> > suggestions?

> > Dianne, Bil C+, 8-25-03, Dr. Crofford

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online from

>McAfee.

> > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

>

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

, I *had* to get off my back at 9 days as I'd already developed a

pressure sore on my tail from lying on my back. It came up so fast! When I

showed the physio the sore spot and she showed me safe ways of sleeping on

my side, with plenty of pillows between my legs. I was worried about lying

on my side so early, but she got a second opinion, to reassure me, bless

her. The pressure sore is almost gone, and I do spend a few minutes on my

back now, doing my bed exercises again, or changing from the side position

briefly. Tomorrow it is 4 weeks post-op, and the printed sheet from the

hospital says after 4 weeks " there are no restrictions " , and so I'm going to

try - tentatively - getting onto my operated side, even if only for a few

minutes. If it doesn't work, I can always wait a bit longer.

Anyone want to comment? My physio is away for the 2-week school holiday

and so is my surgeon.

Virginia

>

>Reply-To: surfacehippy

>To: surfacehippy

>Subject: Re: sleeping on your side?

>Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 21:54:00 -0000

>

>Hi Dianne

>

>I had a bilateral as well - Dr. Amstutz C+ 5/8/03 - and was told to

>only sleep on my back for the first 6 weeks, which is exactly what I

>did, though I hated it. Six weeks to the date though I couldn't wait

>to try sleeping on my side and even on my stomach. I was able to lay

>on either side and found that placing a pillow between my legs did

>help make it much more comfortable. I also found that one side was a

>bit more comfortable than the other. I also didn't have much

>difficulty sleeping on my stomach - though it wsa a little strange at

>first. I did not develop any swelling from sleeping on my side

>though - so you might possibly be moving a little quick. Though

>sleeping on your back all night may be uncomfortable - actually

>miserable as far as I was concerned - it is only for 6 weeks relative

>to all else that you have to look forward to.

>

>Best wishes,

>Joe

>

>

>

> > Hello, and thank you in advance for your response to my question!

>I am 4

> > wks post-op today and have found within the last couple of nights

>that I can

> > lay on my right hip without discomfort, but that my left hip is

>still a bit

> > too tender for comfort. After attempting these positions for a

>couple of

> > nights, I find that both hips are a bit swollen this morning. Not

>painful

> > or red, just a bit more swollen (most of the swelling had already

>gone

> > away). Anyone else had this experience? I hope I haven't

>compromised either

> > new hip by putting pressure on the prosthesis. Any ideas,

>experience, or

> > suggestions?

> > Dianne, Bil C+, 8-25-03, Dr. Crofford

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online from

>McAfee.

> > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

>

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

At 03:45 PM 9/23/2003 +1000, you wrote:

> I was worried about lying

>on my side so early, but she got a second opinion, to reassure me, bless

>her. Tomorrow it is 4 weeks post-op, and the printed sheet from the

>hospital says after 4 weeks " there are no restrictions " , and so I'm going to

>try - tentatively - getting onto my operated side, even if only for a few

>minutes.

Virginia,

I was allowed to sleep on my unoperated side in the hospital, although I

couldn't stand it for more than just a few minutes. I was easily sleeping

on my right side (at that time the operated side) about three weeks post

op. I relished it for the week until I had the other side done, then was

back to being on my back for another couple of weeks. Funny that although

the left hip was a much more complicated surgery and recovery, I was able

to do things like lie on the incision and sleep on that side, as well as

lie on my stomach, much quicker than I did with the first side. I didn't

bother with the pillow after about a week. Once I'm on my side, I'm there,

so I had no fear of rolling over. I have a soft-side water bed for

whatever difference that may have made (I can tell you it took me A LOT

longer to get out of bed without help!).

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

[Guest guest]

At 03:45 PM 9/23/2003 +1000, you wrote:

> I was worried about lying

>on my side so early, but she got a second opinion, to reassure me, bless

>her. Tomorrow it is 4 weeks post-op, and the printed sheet from the

>hospital says after 4 weeks " there are no restrictions " , and so I'm going to

>try - tentatively - getting onto my operated side, even if only for a few

>minutes.

Virginia,

I was allowed to sleep on my unoperated side in the hospital, although I

couldn't stand it for more than just a few minutes. I was easily sleeping

on my right side (at that time the operated side) about three weeks post

op. I relished it for the week until I had the other side done, then was

back to being on my back for another couple of weeks. Funny that although

the left hip was a much more complicated surgery and recovery, I was able

to do things like lie on the incision and sleep on that side, as well as

lie on my stomach, much quicker than I did with the first side. I didn't

bother with the pillow after about a week. Once I'm on my side, I'm there,

so I had no fear of rolling over. I have a soft-side water bed for

whatever difference that may have made (I can tell you it took me A LOT

longer to get out of bed without help!).

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

[Guest guest]

Hi Virginia,

I really can appreciate your soreness. I too was incredibly

uncomfortable sleeping on my back and even laying on my back all of

the time. What I found helped tremendously was I used one of our

patio chairs in the house. It was higher than the couch and since it

has side arms, was easy to get in and out of. Yet it also had

cushions that allowed it to be comfortable. After about the first 1

1/2 weeks at home, I really used the chair a great deal, and that

took a tremendous amount of the discomfort away from my back.

By the way did you have a bilateral done? I did and was expressly

directed by Dr. Amstutz to not sleep on my side for the first 6 weeks.

Best wishes,

Dr. Amstutz, Bilateral C+ 5/8/03

> > > Hello, and thank you in advance for your response to my

question!

> >I am 4

> > > wks post-op today and have found within the last couple of

nights

> >that I can

> > > lay on my right hip without discomfort, but that my left hip is

> >still a bit

> > > too tender for comfort. After attempting these positions for a

> >couple of

> > > nights, I find that both hips are a bit swollen this morning.

Not

> >painful

> > > or red, just a bit more swollen (most of the swelling had

already

> >gone

> > > away). Anyone else had this experience? I hope I haven't

> >compromised either

> > > new hip by putting pressure on the prosthesis. Any ideas,

> >experience, or

> > > suggestions?

> > > Dianne, Bil C+, 8-25-03, Dr. Crofford

> > >

> > >

_________________________________________________________________

> > > Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online

from

> >McAfee.

> > > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Chat via SMS. Simply send 'CHAT' to 1889918. More info at

> http://ninemsn.com.au/mobilemania/MoChat.asp?blipid=6800

[Guest guest]

Thanks, . Today (Wednesday) I am 4 weeks post-op, and from now on

there are " no restrictions " . Of course, I'm not going to do anything

foolish and shall let my body tell me what's right at any given time.

During the night I twice got onto my front and slept like that, and after

I woke this morning I tried lying on my operated side for the first time.

It was very comfortable, better than lying on the non-operated side, and

felt completely normal, as if I'd never had surgery. I shall be lying on

that side at night regularly after this. Perhaps I could have tried

earlier.

I did some grocery shopping after a long stint doing research in the

library yesterday and had absolutely no ache in my hip going round the

supermarket with the trolley and later carrying the groceries up my stairs

on a crutch, the heavy bag on my back and the lighter one on the crutch

side. In fact, only my good knee ached, despite being completely painfree

from right after the total knee replacement in April. The hip just felt

normal.

Last year, when my hip was very good (before the injury) but my two knees

were giving me severe pain, pushing a spermarket trolley, even for a few

minutes, was intolerable becaseu of knee pain. Now that the knees are fixed

(one repaired, one replaced) pushing a supermarket trolley is okay again.

For a couple of weeks I've been picking things up off the floor without

the reaching tool, by sticking my operated leg out the back of me while

bending forward, as the physiotherapist showed me. It is god to be able to

do this safely, giving me more independence, and I fancy the smooth movement

even looks elegant!!! Life is good, really good. Now, all I have to do is

keep practising to get better balance with 2 sticks, and build up the

distance I can do on 1 crutch. That will come.

Virginia (4 weeks post-op today)

>

>Reply-To: surfacehippy

>To: surfacehippy

>Subject: Re: Re: sleeping on your side?

>Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 23:04:03 -0700

>

>At 03:45 PM 9/23/2003 +1000, you wrote:

> > I was worried about lying

> >on my side so early, but she got a second opinion, to reassure me, bless

> >her. Tomorrow it is 4 weeks post-op, and the printed sheet from the

> >hospital says after 4 weeks " there are no restrictions " , and so I'm going

>to

> >try - tentatively - getting onto my operated side, even if only for a few

> >minutes.

>

>Virginia,

>

>I was allowed to sleep on my unoperated side in the hospital, although I

>couldn't stand it for more than just a few minutes. I was easily sleeping

>on my right side (at that time the operated side) about three weeks post

>op. I relished it for the week until I had the other side done, then was

>back to being on my back for another couple of weeks. Funny that although

>the left hip was a much more complicated surgery and recovery, I was able

>to do things like lie on the incision and sleep on that side, as well as

>lie on my stomach, much quicker than I did with the first side. I didn't

>bother with the pillow after about a week. Once I'm on my side, I'm there,

>so I had no fear of rolling over. I have a soft-side water bed for

>whatever difference that may have made (I can tell you it took me A LOT

>longer to get out of bed without help!).

>

>

>C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

>

_________________________________________________________________

Chat via SMS. Simply send 'CHAT' to 1889918. More info at

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[Guest guest]

Hi folks,

here comes another story:

I developed bothering blisters on my heels (while lying awakened,

nonelethess rock-stiff on my back) at the very first post-op night.

Following nights they kept hurting more and more. So I asked Marc

(Dr. DeSmet's PT) 'bout sleeping on my side. He taught me that (then)

tricky job of turning with a pillow between my legs and okeyed

resting and sleeping on my good side since day 4 and sleeping on my

stomach from day 7. So I did joyfully (I'm a natural stomach

sleeper). No heel/lower back pain ever since.

I'm celebrating my 5 weeks anniversary today. No pillow needed

anymore. Changing my sleeping positions quite often. Hasn't tried to

rest/sleep on my operative side yet. Thinking 'bout doing so soon.

Pavel

(LBHR, DeSmet, 20.8.2003)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

No I had just my right hip done - the two hips were the *only* joints

with out arthritis between my feet and jaw, and the only reason for having

to have surgery was that I fractured the right-side neck of femur (in a

mishap in a wheelchair at the end my my recovery from a major injury to a

knee). My surgeon tells me I'll " never " need surgery on my other hip. So,

I guess I'm lucky. It must have been hard for you, getting comfortable with

both hips done. I admire how you coped.

It wasn't soreness that got me off my back (as I slept rather too well,

unmedicated), but a pressure sore, i.e. a bed sore. I'm not in any of the

groups considered at risk for skin breakdown from pressure (usually the

infirm aged and paraplegics) and everyone was surprised. I also developed a

pressure lesion on my heel as at home I couldn't tape on the lambskin pads

I'd been using in the hospital (where there was always someone who would

tape them on for me). I'd had a huge blister on the other heel after just

one night on my back after previous leg surgery three weeks earlier.

Pressure sores can be dangerous and persistent, and so I *had* to be got off

my back. I really had no choice. Bless my visiting physio for showing me

how to lie on my good side safely, with pillows between legs to support the

operated leg. She even got a second opinion from a senior physio, to

reassure me!

The chair I used for most of the day was a swivel computer chair,

without arms, as I needed to put in a lot of time with a deadline coming up

for some writing and also some tasks for one or two voluntary organisations.

I know I spent too long at the computer without a break each day, but I

coped. I also use the office chair when I'm doing (very sporadic) client

consultations, as I can get up from it easily.

Today I celebrate being 4 weeks post-op! Yippee! The printed sheet

from the hospital's physiotherapy department, for " resurfacing hip

replacements " , states " after one month there are no restrictions " . Last

night I slept some of the night on my front for the first time. My surgeon

did say something, at the pre-op appointment, about its being okay for me to

lie on the *operated* side after 4 weeks. So I did that this morning after

waking. It was very comfortable. It just felt normal. So I tried it again

when I had a (rare) afternoon rest.

I've been picking things up off the floor since about 2 weeks post-op,

or earlier, using the posture the physio taught me - leg on operated side

stretched out behind me as I bend forward, thus avoiding exceeding 90

degrees of hip flexion.

Virginia

(RHS BHR components, on standard THR " stem " , Brisbane, Australia,

27/08/03)

>

>Reply-To: surfacehippy

>To: surfacehippy

>Subject: Re: sleeping on your side?

>Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 17:16:53 -0000

>

>Hi Virginia,

>

>I really can appreciate your soreness. I too was incredibly

>uncomfortable sleeping on my back and even laying on my back all of

>the time. What I found helped tremendously was I used one of our

>patio chairs in the house. It was higher than the couch and since it

>has side arms, was easy to get in and out of. Yet it also had

>cushions that allowed it to be comfortable. After about the first 1

>1/2 weeks at home, I really used the chair a great deal, and that

>took a tremendous amount of the discomfort away from my back.

>

>By the way did you have a bilateral done? I did and was expressly

>directed by Dr. Amstutz to not sleep on my side for the first 6 weeks.

>

>Best wishes,

>

>

>Dr. Amstutz, Bilateral C+ 5/8/03

>

>

> > > > Hello, and thank you in advance for your response to my

>question!

> > >I am 4

> > > > wks post-op today and have found within the last couple of

>nights

> > >that I can

> > > > lay on my right hip without discomfort, but that my left hip is

> > >still a bit

> > > > too tender for comfort. After attempting these positions for a

> > >couple of

> > > > nights, I find that both hips are a bit swollen this morning.

>Not

> > >painful

> > > > or red, just a bit more swollen (most of the swelling had

>already

> > >gone

> > > > away). Anyone else had this experience? I hope I haven't

> > >compromised either

> > > > new hip by putting pressure on the prosthesis. Any ideas,

> > >experience, or

> > > > suggestions?

> > > > Dianne, Bil C+, 8-25-03, Dr. Crofford

> > > >

> > > >

>_________________________________________________________________

> > > > Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online

>from

> > >McAfee.

> > > > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

> > >

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Chat via SMS. Simply send 'CHAT' to 1889918. More info at

> > http://ninemsn.com.au/mobilemania/MoChat.asp?blipid=6800

>

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hi Pavel. Your story is similar to mine, except that your heel blisters

started earlier. I had pressure sores on my heel as well as my lower back

by Day 8, and the physio helped me wiht the side-lying position on Day 9, as

I've mentioned. With previous surgery on my leg, 3 weeks earlier, I'd

developed a large blister on my other heel after just one night lying mobile

on my back - like you. That first heel blister eventually formed a hard

crust, but the nurse who has been visiting has managed to trim the dry edges

away and it is almost gone. Skin breakdown from pressure can happen o

quickly!

While in hospital this time, I took in with me two pieces of lambskin

that I got people to tape over my heels. It worked - but when I came home

on Day 6 there was no one here to do that for me and I had to leave them

off. A hint for anyone reading this who want to find really cheap lambskin

peices - try a discount auto accessaries shop, and look for *lambskin

seatbelt covers*.

Virginia (right hip, 27/8/03, Brisbane)

>

>Reply-To: surfacehippy

>To: surfacehippy

>Subject: Re: sleeping on your side?

>Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 06:16:03 -0000

>

>Hi folks,

>

>here comes another story:

>

>I developed bothering blisters on my heels (while lying awakened,

>nonelethess rock-stiff on my back) at the very first post-op night.

>Following nights they kept hurting more and more. So I asked Marc

>(Dr. DeSmet's PT) 'bout sleeping on my side. He taught me that (then)

>tricky job of turning with a pillow between my legs and okeyed

>resting and sleeping on my good side since day 4 and sleeping on my

>stomach from day 7. So I did joyfully (I'm a natural stomach

>sleeper). No heel/lower back pain ever since.

>

>I'm celebrating my 5 weeks anniversary today. No pillow needed

>anymore. Changing my sleeping positions quite often. Hasn't tried to

>rest/sleep on my operative side yet. Thinking 'bout doing so soon.

>

>Pavel

>(LBHR, DeSmet, 20.8.2003)

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

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