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Trouble sleeping after TKR: What helped you sleep?

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Apr 28 10:46am | Replies (127)

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@ddsack

One thing that sometimes helped me get to sleep was doing the same pre-op foot pumps and back of the knee presses as I was shown before surgery. Not being able to walk and exercise normally during the early weeks would give me restless leg syndrome at night, along with not being able to find a comfortable position. When I started tossing and turning, I would alternate doing 10 of each movement until my legs got exhausted. Wait a while, and do some more. Working off the extra unused energy helped, plus the foot pumping helps to increase blood flow for healing and carrying away fluid.

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Replies to "One thing that sometimes helped me get to sleep was doing the same pre-op foot pumps..."

Great idea! There are also tempura-like products for elevating one or both legs. Add this to your nighttime routine as well with the ankle pumps and quad sets. Great advice. And the ankle pumps and elevation will help reduce the swelling in the knee and lower leg.