Sleeping position after hip surgery?

I just went through hip replacement surgery in November. I took slept in my side but with recovery from surgery, you out pillow between your legs if on side. So as not to go above 90degrees. I slept in my sisters couch and put pillow on outside of legs so it would not turn or rotate out.
The physical therapist and occupational therapist go over that with you. I had pre-op class on surgery which helped me practice before class. Hope this helps.

That's nice about the pre-op class. I don't think my doctor offers such a thing, but I'll ask. I like my doctor, but -- maybe I'll look for one that offers such a thing. However, not sure any doctor does that in this area (south Florida). Thanks for your response, I will ask the doctor, I'm going to him tomorrow.

@cindiwass make sure your surgeon does anterior approach as scar is on top of leg and less muscle, nerve, involvement. Heal faster and easier. But still takes a year for complete healing. Also I had an epidural to numb my lower half and lessen post Op pain. They did this in the OR. Plus anesthesia.
I am still numb and have some swelling but that doesn't stop me. My good friend is a PT Professor in Chicago and guided me. Important to do PT always.
Good luck tomorrow!

@cindiwass I had a total hip replacement in 2019 and like @trishh I attended a pre-op class. It was at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I worked with a PT within a few hours after I woke up from surgery. He got me up walking and went over all kinds of stuff. The PT, in fact, had to "sign off" on me before I was discharged.

I'd had so much discomfort and pain prior to surgery that I already had a routine for sleep with pillows under legs and between my legs. Interestingly, I did not need any of that after surgery. Had I needed it I could have put a pillow under my legs while sleeping on my back. But I mostly sleep on my back anyway. There were no restrictions on sleeping position when I was discharged from the hospital but I found sleeping on my back was most comfortable.

Like you, I was frightened before surgery but I figured my hip would only get worse with time. So I can relate to your scary feelings. I even talked with my pre-op nurse about this before I went to surgery and he was very reassuring and validated my feelings. I'm so glad now that I went through the surgery. Walking and exercising has only become better. I wish the same for you.

Thanks. I wrote a list of questions and anterior approach is one of them. Of course he looked at the x-rays and told me I have cysts and they needed to be filled with bone cement type thing. It's like kind of sad in that he only personally spends about 10 minutes with me, which is what I think medicare more or less allows after the first visit. Not sure, but he has a good reputation. Nevertheless, I will ask about pre-op classes, I doubt he does and frankly I don't even know yet what hospital he works out of. Again I'll ask.

Thanks. I don't like sleeping on my back, so that worries me. I'm a comfortable side sleeper, and I notice I'm better on the side that's going to be operated on. 🙁
I'm also wondering if I can sleep on my recliner lift chair because of the way the legs are positioned as I'm resting. I just wonder what position is best for recovery. I know, I know, I have a lot of questions. I probably should just forget them and go ahead with the surgery. (sigh) I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow, I'll let all you kind folks know what's going on. Thank you all so much!!

I had bilateral total hip replacements last year (about 6 months apart) through the anterior approach and I am primarily a side and stomach sleeper so I completely understand not being comfortable on your back! While I was technically allowed to sleep on my side after surgery it really wasn’t possible because it was too uncomfortable. I found that the first couple of weeks I was most comfortable in my powered recliner chair with a pillow under my surgery leg and wedged against the outside of my surgery leg to keep it from rotating out. Within about two weeks, I was able to be in my bed and I would use a pillow or a memory foam wedge underneath my surgery leg and also a pillows wedges against me to keep me from getting the urge to turn on my side. You will definitely be able to get back to side sleeping but there are some adjustments you will need to make until you can get to that point where you are comfortable/healed. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!

@cindiwass These are all good questions to ask your doctor and your medical team. While I did not ask about sleeping on a recliner because it's not something I do it seems like a very good question to me. Before the total hip replacement surgery the back and hip pain was disturbing my sleep. I was asked about symptoms during the initial evaluation for the surgery and I brought this up. Now, if I have trouble sleeping which still happens on occasion it's not because of pain.

So, you're seeing your doctor today. Please ask the sleep positioning questions and I hope your doctor will be reassuring to you. Surgery is scary and I was filled with all sorts of worries. Your fear is there for a reason as it's protecting you. Take the fear with you to your medical appointment, and try not to avoid it. Would you come back here and let me know what your doctor says?

@trishh - I asked him about the anterior surgery and he said he doesn't do that. He used to, he said, but found more complications and trouble with that. He does something else, I forget the name. He said it's a more painful recovery but with fewer complications. I am getting general anesthesia, I suppose that's normal.

Hi. I didn't ask him about sleeping on a recliner, but I will try to call his office and ask that over the phone tomorrow. (Monday) I'm not too keen on sleeping on a recliner but I still wonder what he thinks because I don't want to impede the mending. He did tell me that I could not ever turn my leg up and twist it over the other leg to cut my toenails. I said to him, "Because the ball may come out"? And he said, yes, that's why. Of course that did not make me too happy because I was looking forward to cutting my nails again. (sigh.) But if it means I can walk without pain, it will just be a minor inconvenience. I waited so long for this surgery, meaning that I've seen multiple doctors but was always too afraid to go through with it. Now there's just about no choice if I want to be more ambulatory. So it's almost like do or die. Or don't do it and be in constant pain without functioning well. I'll keep in touch, thanks.