Best 3 Sleeping Positions After A Total Knee Replacement

After a total knee replacement sleep can be one of the most challenging things. I want to show you three common sleep positions and how to sleep without increasing knee pain. Quality sleep is more important than almost anything else during your recovery. Sleep on your side, sleep on your stomach or sleep on your back after a knee replacement. JUST GET SOME SLEEP!
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[@totaltherapysolutions]

Read more about cervical traction at: totaltherapysolutions.com/how-many-times-a-day-can-you-do-neck-traction/

[@user-vy7yp8xc5o]

Thank you I needed this , I sleep only 2-3 hours at a time I’m so tired❤

[@QTWeims]

I had trouble getting my physical therapy referrals from my insurance company so I turned to KZbin and cam upon your videos. My orthopedic surgeon is very happy with my progress. I am now 4 months post op. Your videos have helped a lot more than going to my PT now. Your video about getting comfortable to sleep saved my life. Thanks you for all your advice. My other knee is being operated on within 2 weeks. I’ll be starting at the first few weeks post op videos again!

[@geraldarcuri9307]

For a person who has never had TKR himself, Tony seems to thoroughly understand all the nuances of this procedure and how to recover from it. Amazing! Thanks, Tony. You are a true professional.

[@lexingtontutoring]

I’m in my 8th week.i LOVE you Knee replacement videos. THANK YOU!

[@bt9124]

Day of op, (11th July 2020) surgeon came to me & said, "Hey Betsy, extension is going to be your challenge!" Oh great. I was told i HAD to sleep on my back abd no keeping a pillow under my knee. After 1 month, i finally achieved a whole night on my back, without the heel hanging off the end of the bed. What a challenge recovery is! No wonder i never checked it out before the op. I would have put it off till my afterlife, if there is one.

[@charlenekelley7268]

My TKR is scheduled May 24. Your videos have been so helpful to me. I will be watching for future videos.

[@claudiocorleone7856]

Best post here . My dr has recommended a TKR and my knee does not hurt if sitting , sleeping and even going up the stairs. So why get one? Because the knee starts to hurt 10 minutes into a walk. I do not know if this is a good idea after watching these videos.

[@HeidiSue60]

@@claudiocorleone7856 I wouldn’t do it unless it is impossible for you to walk. I decided to do it because I couldn’t walk to the end of the driveway and back. But if I’d known how painful the recovery was, I might have researched non-invasive therapies such as stem cell. If your pain isn’t crippling…I’d say no.

[@micheleoconnell8749]

It is a very painful recovery and the pain, the worst of it anyway I found was in the first two weeks. Couldn’t sleep and just when I thought I couldn’t stand it anymore it started to ease up. It will be a very hard decision to do the other leg.

[@sandimoo]

@@HeidiSue60I agree! I think they do them too easily! I had both done 4 weeks ago today, and it is horrific pain…..I also have MS which has flared up too….😢

[@cosmolee2813]

I just had a TKR. I’m 7 weeks Postop and after surgery i was told by my surgeon and his docs to keep my leg straight sleep on my back. I have EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) so my surgery(ies) are particularly difficult. After the surgery w so much pain and discomfort I dreaded going to sleep at night. I do have a good trick that I figured out how to get in bed much easier. In the hospital they give people the large walking belt to have a nurse or PT assist when you’re first walking after surgery. I would tie the belt into a loop my left knee was operated on. I would sit on the side of the bed. Then put my operated leg’s foot into the belt loop as if I were standing on it and holding on to the belt and stretching my leg out, then swing my leg over and onto the bed. It made it so much easier that this was the Only way for me to get myself on my bed. So I swear by thi RX t t I’m a side sleeper and still having pain after I try laying on my side for short while. I’ve been using pillows between knees for yrs. I’ve had 2 hip replacements and have spinal stenosis so I haven’t done spine surgery other than a cervical fusion 2 yrs ago. I have EDS which is why the arthritis and replacement surgeries-I live w constant back pain

[@bettyannecourtright4249]

I’m two weeks out from TKR. IM SLEEPING 3-4 at a time at night. I purchased a wedge pillow and have been using since 1week. I’m waking up to pains and aches or bathroom trip but then going back to sleep. Total night sleep is between 6-8 hrs per night. Thanks to my sleep machine measuring. The hardest thing to figure out is how to place feet for a comfortable rest for the ankle. Absolutely right no one does discuss sleeping after

[@snowballinhell]

I am approaching the 5-week mark after TKR. I wish I had seen your video before!! Sleep is my biggest challenge. So as I am watching your video I paused it and tried the side sleeper suggestions. After putting the pillow under my rib cage I was amazed at how comfortable it is!! Thank you so much!!

[@cassandramurphy8831]

Post op day 12. I wish I met your videos pre-op. Your advice is fantastic. Thanks

[@markharski5658]

I had my left knee replaced 2-17-2020 and right knee replaced 5-21-2020. In each case it hurt like hell to try and get my operated on leg onto and off of the bed, for at least the first week of recovery. Did I mention it hurt like hell? The one thing that was a life-saver was using a stretch rope purchased from Big-5 which had a handle grip on each end and a flat strap in the middle which I would place against the bottom of the arch. I could then easily (but still painful if bumped or dropped) lift my leg on and off the bed. After the first week or so, I developed a method of using my good leg/foot to cup it under the recovering leg Achilles area to help lift the leg on/off the bed. The rope also helped perform various exercises. As far as sleeping positions go, I am a stomach sleeper. I simply could not place the knee face down onto the mattress. It was painful, but I also had concerns about flaying open the incision with that direct pressure. I am 6' 4" tall and need to have my toes resting past the end of the bed. Therefore I slept miserably on my back, rarely getting more than 2 hours at a time of sleep. Pain, lack of mobility and inability to bend the knee were all factors. I also developed a sort of nocturnal urinary issue where I have to pee every two hours. (Note - not a prostrate issue, I have 10-20 second streams, where is all this urine coming from?) So the sleeping issues with the first knee were mighty. I just didn't get good meaningful sleep. Lots of naps throughout the day as I always seemed tired. Before going to bed I would often drift off in my recliner (always an issue because my feet extended way past the footrest, very uncomfortable on the post-op leg.) I approached the second knee sleeping-wise differently. I ordered an extra-wide, extra-long chaise lounge from Wayfair in the hopes of getting better sleep. The backrest reclines flat so I thought it would handle my length better. I ordered it 1 week before my surgery, knowing it said 3 weeks for delivery. Unfortunately - it took 7 weeks for delivery. In the meantime I started sleeping horizontally along my sofa on my back, with my head propped up on the armrest. I found that keeping the right foot in a more upright position (leaning against the backrest of the sofa) made it easier to sleep. So I actually was getting excellent sleep but for only 2 hours at a time due to the urinary problems. I used a hospital pee-bottle the first few weeks at the side of the sofa because by the time I got out of the sofa, shuffled down the hallway to the bathroom - it would be too late. The first knee took 3 months for the swelling to go away and I could then recognize my kneecap again. I ttook almost a month for me to get to a 90 degree bend. At the 2-week mark when I had my first post-op visit with the surgeon, I could only bend it 67 degrees. The surgeon explained the probability of having to perform manual manipulation with me being under anesthesia in order to break the formed scar tissue. Late into week three I was finally able to make a complete revolution on the in-place bike. It seemed from that point onward things improved quickly. At my first PT session for the second knee, they measured a 135 degree bed and 0 degree flat of the first left knee. So there is hope for those of you working hard to get the knee to bend. Now at 7 weeks into the second knee replacement, the timeframes are mirroring the first knee replacement. I am currently at 110 degrees bending. I do need to increase my knee, hamstring, thigh muscle strength. I know it will take quite some time to get even close to the same strength prior to the operation. I was told it would take at least a year. I hope this has been helpful for some. Best regards.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

This is an amazing comment!!! You are hired on the team. Seriously, this will be so helpful for so many. I can't thank you enough for taking the time and sharing.

[@bt9124]

Thx4this. I am nipping to the loo a lot too because i am reminded more thanks to sleeping in a new, post tkr posish!

[@blondeevan4731]

Thank you! I'm 2 weeks post op, and 8 weeks pre op for the other. I don't get the pleasure of saying 'well, I don't have to go through THAT again'. It's helpful to hear from others that have done both back to back.

[@louisejohnston4876]

I used a strap from my duffle gym bag and made loop with one end an slip it over the foot , pulling my leg up wIth the strap. I Also use my other foot to brace my operated leg to stop it from bouncing. Ouchie!

[@Propelled]

I’m 14 days into my bilateral knee replacement. The first few days while still on nerve block, I’d sit on the edge of the chair and manipulate my feet as far under me as I could. My right knee went to 130 degrees. My left was swollen and hurting badly pre surgery, I only got 90 out of it. I’Ve kept the 130 on the right, improved the left to 110 (yay!) by sitting on a chair edge and mashing them back for a minute and a half deep breathing through the stretch (ugh) and resting pushing each one negative, then repeating. I’m walking several hundred yards a day. I figure by next week I’ll be at a half mile. There’s considerable swelling and pain but that’s what the ice machine and drugs are for! This is a heck of a painful journey but I can see an end to it.

[@TheLinda109]

Exactly how I did it after week my husband helped me lift leg up to bed mattress I’ve done the dive many times too, now 4 weeks out of surgury so much easier thank goodness it does get better

[@fabiolacaraveo1364]

Awesome! Thank you Tony!

[@barbaragold3302]

I am thrilled to find your site and subscribe. I am just at 6 weeks post op. Sleep is the biggest issue. I have been off narcotics completely for a couple weeks having been on them mostly for sleep. They make me nauseous and still never completely got me a full nights sleep. Now I am using 1-2 Aleves or Arthritis Strength Acetomeniphen. I get 3-4 hours at most. I change position and sleeeping directly on my surgical side using a pillow between knees is best. But, wow, I agree that broken sleep makes it very hard to stay happy and look at the bright side. Otherwise, working on flexion and scar massage. This is quite a ride!

[@sherryrhoads6137]

Your videos are superior and helpful. I enjoy all of them

[@JamesBrown-nq7qk]

Thank you ! Great Info.

[@aks8823]

Very good advice for sleeping. Thanks so much!

[@lynnrushton7458]

So glad I found your channel 👌

[@marymoonen4001]

Great job so information!

[@paulcasto1582]

Your channel has been a great help, I had my knee replacement February 1

[@joaniehanley864]

Great suggestions, thanks 🙏

[@skirwan78]

excellent video, thank you for making this

[@lencavallaro6781]

Had my tkr 3 days ago. Very timely and helpful video.

[@lynn-bethsatterly375]

Thank you for this video and your calm, reassuring but realistic approach.

[@catemoon]

I had knee replacement last week and have been blessed with fairly good sleep. So many sources say not to sleep on the surgical side, but thanks to your video I went ahead and tried it. The only difference is that instead of placing the pillow between my legs as you show in the video, I place it behind the surgical knee and let my good leg rest upon it, thereby allowing my hip to be in a more natural alignment. I’ve had success sleeping on the other side using a pillow between my legs, so long as I have a small pillow to raise my foot a little so the surgical knee (which is now on top) is not bending towards the bed.

[@themamma341]

This is so great....thank you so much for addressing ways to aid being able to sleep with some comfort! I have had very little sleep and that makes it so difficult to keep your morale up. This will help!

[@emmagordon3394]

Very helpful video!!!!!!!!!

[@Mr551955]

Very well explained 👍 Sleep quality, mostly neglected aspect, thanks for highlighting its importance 👍🙏

[@cherieschanz12]

Thank you Tony

[@vickiyounkin1057]

5 days out hurting but tolerable pain thanks so much for these videos

[@bonnieepps3713]

Thank you so much. I’m a tummy sleeper. Last night I was every which way. I took a Tylenol said a prayer and had pillows everywhere. But I slept till 7:05. Trying to stop Narco to make me sleep.

[@TheLawnShark]

Tony, if I came to you channel for nothing more than this video (specifically, how to roll in and out of bed), it would be worth it!!!! Thank you so much for this information. As soon as I watched the video this morning, I went and tried it and it felt like a miracle (I almost cried)! It's been just over two weeks and I have slept on the couch because it was so hard to get in and out of bed; it was painful and hard and would wake up my wife. Tonight I will finally be able to go back to bed and I want to thank you for this! If I ever meet you in person, I owe you a beer!!

[@daisymay9236]

Thxs. 13months..still can't sleep on either side. Tried of sleeping on my back.😴....I will do exactly what you demonstrated. Thxs

[@VikkiCations-ru9dp]

Thanks Tony , I am 1.5 weeks post op , have the wedge pillow and I am going to try the support you’ve shown with added pillows , I did try it without any & couldn’t stand the pressure , but how you’ve shown looks like a great idea . Going to try tonight , have tried bed, recliner, couch etc , just trying to find a comfy position for a good few solid hours sleep .

[@JT-gq8wv]

Lotsa good suggestions - I'll try 'em - Thank you ! I subscribed.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Thanks so much. Let me know if I can help!

[@upsidedownshell]

Thank you I’m better and glad you are doing well.

[@shabbirkhan4897]

Thanks a lot, Sir.

[@garrytownson7552]

Having been a total knee patient, I regret not having a recliner to sleep in. I have never had one but getting a chance to try one convinced me that it was the most comfortable "thing" to sleep in and the easiest thing to get up from especially in the early stages of recovery.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Very true. I just released a video discussing different things to consider when buying a recliner.

[@barryl8857]

Do not sleep in a recliner. You need to get your upper and lower leg straight. Sleep in bed ,on your back with ice pack on your knee. Yes I said sleep with ice on knee. I do it every night. I stay on my back no prob. Knee feels great in morn.

[@zyasmeen156]

@@barryl8857 qà0

[@annstofferan4630]

My bed is upstairs and so I have to sleep in my reliner/couch

[@SuzyQ2022]

I'm just about a week from TKR and plan to use a wedge pillow to elevate my knee. The pillow goes from about 1/2" thick at one end to about 7" on the highest end. I've already tried it and it seems to be pretty comfortable as you have a gradual rise and not a big empty space from the hip area to where you have placed the pillow under your knee. Just some food for thought to achieve more comfort and less stress on the leg/hip area that has no support...

[@delina9558]

I've always slept on either side with a pillow between my knees but couldn't for 7 weeks due to the pain! Could only sleep on my back and found it really frustrating! I'm 10 weeks post op now and do lay on my side naturally but it can still be uncomfortable if I've done too much...This is a much longer recovery than I anticipated!

[@totaltherapysolutions]

It really is a journey. It seems like far too many people aren't emotionally ready for the struggles ahead. While it is usually worth it, there are always challenges we don't anticipate.

[@k53ss22]

I agree! I am on week 4 & it is so difficult

[@deborahkibel-martin9893]

I'm really struggling with sleep right now. I'm 13 days out. I will have to give these ideas a try. I'm a side sleeper and I've been sleeping on my back. Now I have low back pain. It's hard to get comfortable at night.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Let me know if it helps.

[@patdamiani]

I tried everything you suggested here as well as a lot of other positions and I just couldn't get comfortable in bed until about 4 months PO. So for me I was pretty much limited to sleeping in the recliner for those first 4 months. I've never been able to sleep on my back like that before but actually got to the place where I could sleep 3-4 hours at a time like that.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Pat Damiani thanks so much for posting your comment here.

[@chipwisner2166]

I am in the same boat here. I am at 6 weeks struggling with the 90 degrees on my knee so hard to get that flex. Taking Lyrica and Tramadol it helps but sleep is still an issue. The heel slides are terrible to do @ 60 yo. I seem to be slow in progress any suggestions?

[@Diana-007]

Very helpful video, sleep is definitely alluding me at present, I did however find an extremely helpful aid on Amazon UK which assists me in getting my operated leg in and out the bed safely, with minimum effort and pain, it’s a long Leg Lifter Strap with Padded Handgrips and good structured foot loop which supports well, it’s been a godsend I’m now 6days post TKR and this has been a fabulous find and costs very little, worth a look if you have difficulty getting your operated leg in or out the bed or live alone. 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@EvelineNow]

Thank you.

[@ritagaiser9238]

I am a side sleeper and just had a total knee revision 1 week and I am so excited to try this tonight . Thank you so much for your illustrations 🙏

[@BackyardGardenFlo]

Thanks 😊

[@theresaeddy2124]

Your very informational. I have total knee replacement. 8 years now. I just joined stretche class.we do yoga posses😊es,it's not easy when that knee will not bend.

[@zi0cat]

I use a yoga strap to pull the surgical leg up to the bed. It works well, avoids pain

[@brianrowe236]

I couldn't get comfortable in a bed. Ended up sleeping in an electric reclining armchair with a quilt draped over it - what a difference! My son borrowed it when he broke his hip.

[@lorijudd2151]

This is my second knee replacement. Left was done in Dec. 2011. Right was done Sept. 7, 2022. This time I found out I cannot tolerate any opiates at all anymore, so I'm limited to over the counter options at max dosage. Under the doctor's supervision, of course. Sleeping is my biggest challenge. I was not told to NOT sleep in any particular position by the surgeon. The nurses were telling me to keep the knee straight when I sleep, but I quickly found that keeping the knee straight and sleeping were incompatible. So I'm going to try sleeping with the pillows on my side, as you suggest. I can always recover better when I've slept enough.

[@melgregory7339]

Many thanks for your advice on using two pillows under my surgical leg. My surgeon told me to sleep on my back, but with only one pillow under my calf I could not get comfortable. Now with two pillows, I'm getting some sleep at night. Next challenge is to return to sleeping on my side !

[@8463drew]

I had a tibial plateau fracture in July and thank God I have a recliner but I want to go back to the bed. I've tried many times time and methods to get through a night but fail. I'll try anything at this point. thanks

[@Cigar65]

I just had my 2nd knee replacement. My Dr. has me wearing the leg boot for 4 weeks. It can get itchy during the night and I have to take it off and put some cream on my leg. When I get up in the morning, this boot serves two purposes. One is to keep the knee and leg out straight during the night time. Secondly it is a bit tight and helps bring the swelling down as I can see the difference in the morning. Kind of works like a compression stocking. Lots of Ice during the day helps too. I use a tensor bandage the first 3 weeks to help swing the leg up on the bed.

[@simarkeenlyside]

From the other side of the pond in england, Thanks tony for all your posts. 2 knee replacements done at same time .nightmare.sleeo impossible. But 4 weeks on, much of your advice has been so helpful to me and i really appreciate the posts . All best to you. Simon

[@barryl8857]

Simon, did you really do both at same time. How did you get around. How are you now that you are a year in. I am 7 weeks in

[@simarkeenlyside]

@@barryl8857 Barry .. I didn't see this. Listen...you just keep going steady as she goes! I am 16 months in and learning how to run again. Not road running.just with the kids and on a beach. I had mine double knee replacement a week apart.I was scared that I would lose my nerve if I had them one at a time. You don't need me to tell you what a Hell you might be in. I was, and it was for a while ...a horrible time ,( for me at least. )A real struggle .Just make sure you do ALL your exercises Barry. Never give up. Never! You will get your legs back soon enough and more than you could expect. We're all told that everyone is different. OK, so be it . For me,the first months were really hard. I felt I wad making no progress and there were so many things that didn't work. Flexion, extension , lifting ...everything felt kind of impossible. I'm sure ,at 7 weeks you're just trying to keep the pain down and walk . But it gets better .it will! little by little, imperceptibly at first you'll make progress . Then ,one day you'll be able to lift your left off the floor .Another month or so you'll be able to sit on a bicycle and turk the pedals ( big day that'll be!) . A few months down the road you'll start building the muscle in the leg again. It all takes time. You just gotta make sure you do the work and never give up. After year , in my case ,the leg stopped clunking. I could not run around at a year, nor even 14 months ...but I am beginning to now . More to the point walking is now a joy .walking all day and anywhere. I want my knees to be strong and so I go to the gym alot.Boring as hell , but it works . Barry, don't give up man.work really really hard and push through the pain within reason.You will get everything back . All the very best of luck!!! Simon

[@simarkeenlyside]

@@barryl8857 I forgot to add Barry .you asked how I got around ? With difficulty ...but on crutches . I kind of enjoyed the little work out that crutches gave me. You just gotta want to have those legs back and I'm sure you will get em !!!

[@louisejohnston4876]

Excellent video. I have a motorized bed with head and foot lift. Should I add a pillow in addition to the elevation? I was told to keep my knee straight as much as possible but I am a side sleeper prior to TKR and really need a good night sleep. I am currently waking about every 2 hours to shift and bend the knee and to urinate! I still have staples in the knee. it has been 10 days since surgery. Thanks.

[@freeamerican2313]

I had both knees and when it came to bed I used a belt around my foot and pulled and it worked beautiful no pain very easy.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

That is a great strategy. Thanks for sharing.

[@annjannace6957]

to get into bed I used the curve if my cane & placed it at the arch of my foot & swong my straight surgical leg over jnto bed, worked fine, had a TKR last Aug, 2019 on left knee, need the right one done, I"m in so much pain, but with this Corona & a second wave coming, I'm hesitant I"m 83 its a long recovery with phy/therapy, my TKR is just fine no pain, no problems. with quality of life so important, Whats your take .....Anyone?

[@specialized29er86]

The 3 positions is those I've been using to sleep for the last 2 years when the pain became unbearable to both knees.

[@daisymay9236]

Cant sleep on side 4mos now😢 will do what you recommend coach! Thxs..

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Karen Reasoner try it. See how you may adapt the pillows to fit your body. Let me know if I can help. Where does it hurt when you try?

[@Shannon5909]

Thanks for the video Tony! I'm at 2 weeks post op with total left knee replacement currently, and had my right knee done in Dec 2021. These are excellent suggestions to achieve better sleep folks, and are exactly what my surgeon and PT suggested for me!

[@viccigoddard6981]

I am at 2 weeks now..can't believe how much pain this has!

[@theresaeddy2124]

Thank you for your videos. 😊

[@margarethughes3763]

It's the most painfull thing ever to deal with.

[@steverobinson-tw3xp]

Great information. I am 8 weeks post-op and still cannot get a full nights sleep. As it is, I get about 4 hours of sleep a night, then I have to get up and go to my recliner. I am a side sleeper, and I wake in the middle of the night with my knee in excruciating pain. It feels as though I am being stabbed by a hot poker. I definitely will try out these ideas and see how that works.

[@tinastockwell6485]

I just wanted to say I hope that your recovery got better for you,,,just 6 wks ago I just had my tkr done,my ears and eyes got the attention when you talked about the pain that you had when had your knee done that when you fell asleep and when you woke up your leg was just hurting and killing you,,me to I’m having so much pain when sleeping and I’m so overwhelmed and exhausted from not getting sleep,, I hurt so darn bad in bed it hurts from my knee all the way to the top and bottom of my feet on top of all this I also developed a blood clot in my upper calf and the bend of my surgery knee,, I just wanted to say now I know I’m not alone going through all this pain and because mostly everyone that has had a tkr we all had the same pain,I just felt like I was doing something wrong or not doing something right,but I’m glad that there is light at the other end on my recovery. Didn’t mean to talk so much about this

[@steverobinson6482]

@@tinastockwell6485 I remember that tine. It may come hard to hear, but it does get better. I am now going on 2 years since the surgery, and I can now sleep through the night without hardly any pain. What helped me through that, is I purchased and leg pillow that I either put between my knees when I slept on my side, and under my knees when I was on my back. Keep up the hard work, it does pay off.

[@highbaritone]

My surgery “full right knee” is this Saturday. I sleep on my left side and thought with pillows I could keep doing that. I thought it would be good as it wouldn’t be load baring, but I guess I will have to see. A great channel that has just come up for me. Thanks to all, from Australia.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Thanks so much. Why would you not be load bearing? Most knee replacements are up and walking the day of surgery with no weight bearing restrictions.

[@highbaritone]

@@totaltherapysolutions I mean that two pillows under my right knee on top Of my left knee might work. It’s how I sleep now. I will certainly change it that is better. I have my ice packs ready to go. Again thank you.

[@rickwilliamson9248]

I've tried using a wedge pillow under my post-op knee (less than 3 weeks at the moment). It's helped some, but hopefully will help more when I can get off the downstairs sofa and upstairs to my bed.

[@2224Beth]

Hi I’m 3wks po and I’ve been using wedges and a body pillow in the positions Tony described. I’ve used my non surgical leg to lift surgery leg. Beth

[@totaltherapysolutions]

That is great! Are you not able to lift your surgical leg yet without help?

[@maryloulong6789]

That is what I do.

[@theresajohnson6989]

Hi Tony, s/p TKR on July 20 2022, was doing fairly until the ankle of my TKR started hurting. It’s the back of a The ankle. I do have a lot of bruising to both medial and lateral sides of the ankle. Home PT tells me to ice but it’s difficult to walk do you want to do something tonight?e to the pain. Two days ago it was fine. Any suggestions? Love your videos!!

[@estgassantana9068]

Thanks I have lot PROBLEM sleep LOT PAIN GOD BLESS YOU FOR VIDEO

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Estgas Santana thanks so much for the kind words. If you can’t sleep well healing becomes even harder. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@estgassantana9068]

I have 6 days after my knee replacement I feel in lot pain miserable

[@jangriffin-fi1yx]

​@@estgassantana9068❤🤗 hope it's not long & feeling lots better 🌷🌷🌷

[@denisemattix8268]

Do you have a good inhome and outpatient PT recommendation for near Leetonia, OH? For TKR

[@TriciasPinkPoodleJewelry]

Great info, but I’m having a double knee replacement. How would I sleep with both knees being done at the same time?

[@ApeMan]

5mg gummie with indica an hour before bedtime gets me some quality sleep

[@LINEDANCINGVAL]

When I had a left knee full replacement 7 weeks ago I dreaded having to go to the toilet; the nurses tried to hold my leg as I got out of bed but it was absolute agony. I then remembered a video I had watched using a strap and decided to pull the belt out of my dressing gown. I put the belt around the bottom of my foot and whilst straightening my leg I pulled each end of my belt tight and was able to manoeuvre myself in and out of the bed much easier. I also used the same technique to get into the car after leaving the hospital.

[@linfincher]

3 was po left knee replaced. Last night I finally after watching this video I tried various positions. After 2hrs my leg was screaming. Apparently not enough pillows.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Trial and error. Be patient. It will happen.

[@SSGMacGeek22]

I sleep with a pillow between my knees, it’s very comfortable.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Thanks for sharing.

[@eileensaker6828]

Had both knees replaced at once in March 2018. I sleep on both sides with a pillow between my knees still. Very comfortable for me.

[@bobmeyers3478]

What kind of exercise should you do before surgery?

[@se9818]

I'm in my 1st week , last 2 night were rough .

[@ashwanigupta4038]

I want to know best posture of sleep for B/L TKR as I have undergone on 3rd Nov.2023

[@meyoratata]

I wa sleeping with the injured knee on top,, now i will try the way you sleep.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Be sure to let us know if it helps.

[@meyoratata]

Sorry i have tried this way but it didnt work out, maybe because your are teaching about knee replacement my surgeries are acl tear and meniscous on my left knee. Thank you.

[@mtkk22]

When I slept with surgical leg on top, my quad/ upper thigh muscles would hurt. So now I only sleep with surgical leg on matress.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Marie Kaz you know better than anyone what works best for you. I would encourage you to experiment on the other side in the future. Just because it hurts now doesn’t mean it will always hurt.

[@upsidedownshell]

Got mine 9 days ago. And left was easy. This one can’t lift Dr said the muscles are asleep. I did months of pt. And now can’t even lift it to so fitted leg lifts. He said don’t frett. Well is also. I can’t put weight on it because it flips forward. He said it will get better. I do all pt but leg lifts aren’t happening. Yes I have a tall bed. I carry my leg with a yoga strap. Can’t let go of my walker. My left was awesome. He said not all are alike. In desperate. I’m stretching it. Can use an outsmart then I won’t be able to get up from the floor. So I do all my exercises in bed. I stretch all day. Try to sat and and walk some. I can’t trust my robotic implant this time. Aldo has cero sleep. Been on ice for a week. I’m so distrustful with this. And I communicate this to Dr. we connect with the get well loop. But I haven’t feel support on this because how long can my muscle sleep after trauma. I feel disconnected. Not asleep. Can’t access my leg to do nothing. Hill slides and hanging it with movement on a tall stool. Thank you for the sleep position show.

[@kishwarasultana6186]

How are you. I had knee replacement bilateral surgery before 5 weeks. But I have sciatica pain . Please give me some advice , how can I relieve pain. Thank you

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Sorry. This is not an uncommon situation. It usually is related to the increased time sitting after surgery. There are some great Sciatica Support groups on Facebook. A therapist named Dean Volk, PT had dedicated his career to treating sciatica pain. You can find his site here: volkpt.com/2-simple-yet-powerful-exercises-to-ease-sciatica/

[@joepickett7084]

I am looking into having both knees done at the same time, any ideas? Thank you!

[@pegbutwin7189]

My surgeon told me that your knees are siblings - not twins. Just because both are done at the same time doesn’t mean each knee will heal the same. My first tkr back in 2018 went great. I’m 9 weeks out from my second tkr and it is a struggle.

[@lindabeck7191]

I had my right knee done No Way would I consider doing them both at the same time. It's to much pain and to much to deal with. You get so tired out doing therapy and just getting through a day. 😢

[@minak9800]

❤️

[@suewhite9270]

8 weeks after the op and I cannot sleep more than 3 hours. My ITB burns like crazy

[@lindafass5620]

I am a side sleeper also I am 6 weeks post OP. My question: I typically sleep on my left side it is my right knee that I had surgery on, can I put a pillow between my legs and sleep with the surgical leg on top of my other leg with a pillow inbetween?

[@claudegregoire8756]

That is the way they showed me in hospital.Two pillows cross wise side by side over unaffected leg then place operated leg above. Not easy to find the right size of pillows and big wool socks help as I always feel cold, apparently due to pain.

[@gailbates2235]

I am almost 8 wks post-op and having a lot of difficulty sleeping due to either achiness or one night was a burning in a certain area (went on for 3 hrs and suddenly just stopped.) I definitely was not emotionally prepared to still be hurting and not able to sleep at this far post-op. NOBODY had told me this issue. I stay exhausted and demoralized! Last night I got the most sleep I’ve had in a couple of weeks. This night time pain issue just started about 2 weeks ago. Any suggestions for me?

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Apologies for just getting to this question. The emotional impact is huge. Pain, difficulty sleeping, stress, all of these factors come into play as well as your body devoting all of its energy to the recovery process. You lose a fair amount of blood during the procedure so people experience rapid onset fatigue they weren't expecting. As for your pain, the knee was put through a traumatic event. The nerves and other tissues are trying to figure out what is the new normal. The best advice I have is to find what works for you now and use it. For some people it is ice, others respond to heat, some use a TENS unit, etc. When that stops working, start experimenting with something else. Nothing works for everyone all the time so as frustrating as it seems just keep getting through one day at a time and before you realize you will be over the hump.

[@gailbates2235]

Total Therapy Solution - Physical Therapy, thank you so much for replying to me. It’s encouraging that what I am experiencing is not that unusual. I resorted to taking Ibuprofen with no success. So a friend’s daughter, who is a pharmacist, suggested Naproxen and Tylenol alternatively. Yesterday and last night was my first day to do the combo and it worked great! I actually slept really well last night! Plus, I measure my knee everyday and this morning it measured 3/4 of an inch smaller and the knee is much less hot.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Gail Bates wow. That is really great. I am happy for you.

[@bt9124]

@@totaltherapysolutions TENS is definately worth trying if your tummy is fed up with strong painkillers. Hot bath followed by all the exercises, then ice is good just before the TENS mach. Keep at it; bring your knee back in to yr ownership! Mine only just stopped feeling like a house guest who'd stayed 3 days too long.

[@k53ss22]

I agree! My in home PT said the same as here & you're saying, the doctors do not at all prepare you for how bad the recovery & lack of sleep is!

[@diamondobrien3040]

Im like 14 days since my replacement can I bend my leg now while sleeping. I was told to keep it straight for a week or two. I just don’t want it to get messed up.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

If your extension is near full then you should be find to do what feels best.

[@sharifierstine9194]

I'm 6 weeks out from a total knee replacement and I can't sleep at night no matter what position I sleep in. The pain wakes me up in the middle of the night and I can't get comfortable . I've tried all those positions

[@k53ss22]

I'm 4.5 weeks & same!

[@vivianolaedo1710]

My surgery is almost a year plus some month but I hv not been able to push my leg backwards what should I do

[@abhishekmurarka1984]

Sir I had total knee replacement 1 week back, now when I try to walk using Walker just after 3-4 steps i feel shear pain in my inner side of knee, anything to worry. Pls pls answer

[@jammt5mal]

8 weeks after Replacement, I still can get comfortable, that's why I do now sleep on my stomach, with 2 pillows under the right OP leg & my head turned to the left and the left arm down & the right arm under the pillow. I should say, that this is the best way for me to fall a sleep fast. But before I go to bed, I'll take 3 regular 325 ml Tylenol for pain, because they will start working 1-2 hours after swallowing & then my knee pain is good for 6 hours. When I fall a sleep, I wont stay all night that way, I turn often, after the painkiller weakens, but my pillow will still be on the bottom of the bed, that's why if U wake up, pull it from there, stretch out your good leg, take the pillow and place it on the edge of your bed & lay the operated Leg on there.

[@KatherineAnnabella]

What kind of pillow is that? I find it hard to find a pillow that is less pillowy these days. Thanks.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

These are cheap Walmart pillows $2.99 each.

[@HilaryJordan-gn9jt]

What about sleeping on the opposite side from the surgically affected side?

[@heartofahobbit]

I had my replacement done Dec 14th, 2020. I am still dealing with a lot of pain, sometimes a grabbing, feeling-like-my-leg-is-going-to-explode pain. I also have pain going from my buttocks to my heel (left side). I got told that from the sounds of it, it is either sciatica or the piriformis muscle. I am a side sleeper, naturally. I have tried sleeping on my side, replaced knee down, but I am finding that the outside of my *kneecap* is tender and even slight pressure bothers it. I don't like sleeping on my back nor on my stomach. So, I sleep - on my back - pillow under my head and a pillow under my left leg and sometimes I will try to sort of turn onto my left side to be comfortable but am not really comfortable. Do you have any suggestions?

[@tinastockwell6485]

Wow I’m so glad that I’m not the only one that has pain like you and I do,,at times my knee cap and the side of it is on fire or I get a sharp stabbing shooting pain all the way from my hip down to the bottom of my foot,I’m half afraid to say anything to the dr because I don’t want to look like a cry baby,but omg,,the pain is crazy and at time really bad all night long trying to sleep or get any kind of sleep is not in the category all I do is rub and have to get up to move or do anything to relieve the pain

[@heartofahobbit]

@@tinastockwell6485 I have found out through different things that I have tried, are certain stretching exercises. I have to do certain stretches for my Achilles Heel. Then there are certain stretches that are basically putting my back against a wall, feet spread just a bit apart, then bending over to touch my toes, until I feel a pull down my thigh and calf. I have done a couple of other stretches, but unfortunately my knee gets very stiff due to the fact that I now also have fibromyalgia. The stretches are something that you may have to always do. I wish you well in dealing with your pain. Good luck!!

[@DallasPowelljr]

What about icing while sleeping? I'm normally a side sleeper, but since TKR three weeks ago, I've slept on my back because I keep the ice machine on my knee all night. At what point do I stop icing while I'm asleep and try to sleep normally?

[@totaltherapysolutions]

I have some other videos on the channel about ice. I sometimes recommend an ice pack to fall asleep but I would say once you are able to sleep without it then stop using it. Check out those other videos on here if you can find them.

[@helenvaldes]

Iam 3months after my op and I still feel pain so I have to sleep with I w on my knee. Only just managing to bend a bit better now. But still a long way to go yet.

[@loistickle103]

Would like to see what to do if the bed is too low. I desperately want to sleep in the bed but can’t get back up. Thx!!

[@totaltherapysolutions]

That is a great one. I don't know when I can get a video on that but typically what I would recommend is either having a stack of cushions or something that allows you to go from sitting on the bed to sitting on the cushions to standing, or having a stable chair next to the edge of bed that would allow you to go from low bed to chair to stand.

[@royyach]

Hello I had also a to low of bed so I bought a box spring for under the mattress and what a world of difference it made. Good luck. I'm 6 weeks post op.

[@deew412]

Add some blocks underneath

[@varghesejoseph9290]

My both knees replaced 5 months ago and my right leg's ankle and the back heel is paining while walking. Please advice me what to do to get rid of the pain. Joseph

[@MsTracy79]

What about for simultaneous bilateral knee replacement? At night I just sleep with them straight , I’m a side sleeper, it’s uncomfortable and I wake up with legs feeling numb and swollen.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Unfortunately sleep is the biggest challenge regardless of a single or double knee replacement. Experiment and see what works best for you. Some clients prefer a recliner or the couch for the first couple weeks.

[@toyawilliams626]

What kind of foods should be eaten during this time ???? Please tell me I have to meal prep no help until late in evening my surgery is march 13,2020

[@totaltherapysolutions]

10 days and counting!!! Stick with what you like and what you know. Most people have a decreased appetite after surgery because of the meds and other factors. Increasing fiber is always recommended to avoid constipation. But pre-made meals that are frozen and easy to reheat are great. You clearly know you need to fuel your body for recovery. I wish more people would ask this question.

[@bt9124]

@@totaltherapysolutions a multi vitamin and extra vita B&C helped me loads. The post op fatigue was blasted in a week.

[@casey9551]

I’m at six weeks and the pain and stiffness and swelling makes it all most impossible to get my knee past 70% bend

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

I get to sleep and EVERY night I wake at 1 in the morning. After that I cannot get comfortable enough to get more sleep. I am 1 month in and I am exhausted like I have never been in my life.

[@burnerloco4138]

There’s no way I could crawl into the bed like he did the first time. I sat down on the edge and used a strap around my foot to help lift my leg up and into bed the first week until I was able to do it without the strap. Never had an issue sleeping. Doing exercises before the surgery is very important to a better recovery.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

I am so glad you found a way. Lucky duck you are able to sleep. How are things progressing now?

[@burnerloco4138]

@@totaltherapysolutions great. Went back to work after 12 weeks and feeling great thank to a good surgeon and physical therapist. Hope to be skiing by next winter.

[@haroldjones9321]

Confirm whole heartedly that spin bike and other relevant exercises well before, 4-6 weeks, surgery is very beneficial. So basically spin bike and exercise as normal until the day of surgery was my approach. Get a knee exercise handout from a PT or your surgeon prior to surgery date and get busy.

[@michellemccurdy3062]

I found having my knee being on the flat bed hurts . The incision. I have been using a feather pillow. Just me😄

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Great advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@tonyl6385]

I have 13 days since my TKR. My issue now with sleeping is my ass muscle on the same side as my knee that was replaced. It hurts laying down. I tried stretching it, massager on my butt muscle and it aches. The aching wakes me up. Not sure what to do.