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Night Pain: Using a knee wedge after total knee replacement?
I had a right TKR on 1/21. Even in the hospital I couldn’t sleep at night because of knee pain.
Multiple sources, including a hospital issued post TKR book and my discharge instructions, warn against putting a pillow under the knee.
Does anyone know if a knee wedge would fall into the category of a pillow? Has anyone used a wedge with good results? Has anyone had their doctor or physical therapist tell them to not use a knee wedge?
I will ask my joint care coordinator tomorrow, but as I have been awake for the last 2-1/2 hours, I’ve had plenty of time to think about possible solutions to night pain. BTW, I am taking Rx pain meds, but pain still wakes me up every night. A knee wedge sounds good to me right now.
Thank you for any input.
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Hi Jodi,
I'm sorry for what you're going through. At 6 weeks, the healing process has moved ahead, apparently not with you. (And Sue is right - at 6 weeks you're still in early recovery. TKR is a traumatic surgery and it just takes time for things to settle back down.)
Without knowing more - you could place a firm pillow between your knees for sleeping on your side. This helps keep the knees, hips, and spine aligned.
Do you normally sleep on your side? In the recliner I'm certain you're having to lay on your back,
Please let me know, and all the best.
Joe
Hey there Connie. Sorry for the pain you're going through.
As far as pillows or wedges for the knee, there are two types. You can buy pillow-like products that you place between your knees while sleeping on your side. This helps to keep the spine, hips, and knees aligned. It feels great to use.
The second type has been described as a wedge, but again it's any pillow-like device that you place under your knees while lying on your back. This keeps your knees supported, but should not significantly raise your knees or bend them too far. Your heels should remain on the bed.
You can get these products at Amazon.
I hope this helps Connie!]
Joe
I sleep on my back. This is the 4th night I've slept in bed. I have to take pain meds and sleep meds both or I can't sleep. I tried to sleep on my back because my back was hurting, but it hurt worse on my side even with a pillow in-between my knees. I'm getting there. Thank you for your encouragement!!
Sounds good Jodi. Yeah you can place a small, firm pillow under your knees or a rolled-up towel. You can also put a smaller towel under your lower back. This will at least keep your spine in a relatively neutral position. Here is a product suggestion to support your knees when lying on your back. There are other similar products too:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZSTC1J?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
If you get to the point where you can sleep on your side, you can place a large yoga bolster against your back, and another one in front of you that you can rest your arm on. This provides a lot of support. And if you do sleep or lie on your side, you'll definitely need a firm pillow between your knees.
Feel better!
Joe
I am four months post TNR and hardly slept the whole time. Pain at night was relentless. Rx worked for first two weeks then could not get refills.
May not be so bad for those who can use NSAID’s but I cannot and Tylenol
did not help. Just getting some off and on sleep the last few nights. Maybe on the mend. No pain during the day or with exercises. Best wishes for those
losing sleep from pain.
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3 ReactionsThank you! Those are all great suggestions! I so appreciate your encouragement!