Sleeping comfortably with a new Total Knee- advice needed!

I usually sleep on my side whenever possible, and found that bending the “new” knee to the extent possible, and putting a small, firm pillow between the knees gave me the most pain relief, especially when the TKR knee was on top. You can give that a try. Most doctors and PT people very much discourage using a pillow sideways under the knee when laying on you back since it delays the progress of getting it to become straight. I had some success with putting several sofa pillows under the knee and calf while resting the heel on the armrest of the couch.... but only for a limited time. This will still keep the knee fairly straight while taking a lot of pressure off, and keeping it elevated. It’s also easy to ice it at the same time, if this is recommended by your doctor.

I never used a recliner, but in bed I slept on my side with the surgery knee on top. I put a body pillow between my knees the removed the duvet from my knee as my scar was SO sensitive and painful for many months! Seemed to help the knee pain, too.

thank you, Babette! I would love to lay on my side and do it just a little. Did you struggle with bending the surgery leg? That's my problem. I can bend it but not parallel to my good knee. Could you do that?

I was able to bend my knee pretty comfortably and had good ROM from pretty early on. Now, 7 mos. out, I'm having lots of pain and stiffness and have an appt. with my surgeon to see about an MRI. Am wondering about scar tissue. Ugh.

@babette @amytro I found the pillow between my knees to be hugely helpful also. I am mostly a side sleeper. I can only sleep on my back when it's absolutely necessary.
JK

Thank you everyone. With your suggestions, and in general, better flexion and extension, sleeping is getting easier!

@debbraw: I seem to have lost track, but someone active on the joint replacement site had TKR very recently. No complaints, so that’s good. I thought for a minute it might have been you heading for # 2, but then again, my attention span is getting shorter - as am I. Anyway, hoping for a successful result or update if you have information on whoever it is. Sorry to post this out of content.

I am into my eight week after surgery had manipulation two weeks ago for scar tissue and am still fighting the tightness and swelling! I am still sleeping in recliner. Would give anything to be back in my bed sleeping on my side 😥

Ugh is right. Sorry to hear that. I think scar tissue is our biggest enemy in this whole TKR battle.

I am also at 8 weeks and still suffering a lot of tightness and some swelling but my range of motion is very good. What was your range of motion when you had your manipulation? I don't see my doctor for another 6 weeks who told me at 6 weeks that the swelling and tightness would go away in time.