\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Sleeping on your operative side puts a lot of pressure on your surgery site and will probably be painful. Maintaining a position that is semi-bent is not good for your new knee, especially for long periods of time. We measured blood loss at time points from 1 to 48 hours. If you cant help it and need to take a nap, limit your sleeping time. You can sleep on your non-operative side by lying on your back with pillows between your legs. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. To prevent this, we ask that you DO NOT place a pillow under your knee. A joint cartilage breakdown is the cause of osteoarthritis. Kneeling on a soft mat or pillow can actually be helpful in desensitizing the knee once the incision is healed. If youve been in pain, you might need to take a few days off from physical activity. While you recover, the pain and discomfort could make it difficult to sleep. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Keep your sleep position varied by putting a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side. It may be possible to postpone a knee replacement operation by osteotomy. Knee joint replacement - discharge : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Whichever position you choose, make sure that you are comfortable and that your knees are not in pain. Dan, the founder and head content creator of Bedroom Style Reviews, is responsible for developing content for the site. In the days following TKR surgery your doctor will make sure you're elevating your leg in the hospital. You may continue with elevation and icing as needed to help decrease swelling and discomfort. This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. There is a risk of damage to the ligaments, arteries, and nerves. Most people will not even attempt to kneel on their new knee because of stiffness and pain. No pillow should be placed under the knee after surgery because it can put pressure on the wound or incision site. More information on returning to normal after an operation can be found at the bottom of this page. It is critical to strike a balance between pain control and side effects. 3 Ways to Sleep After a Knee Replacement - wikiHow Place the pillow or stool under the ankle and calf to allow the knee to stay straight. do not sleep with a pillow under your knee (you do not need to sleep in a special position after the operation) do not kneel on your new knee until your doctor says you can do not stand for long periods of time as this could cause swelling in your ankles Sleep Through Night After Total Knee Surgery: (Dos And Don'ts)