Trouble sleeping after TKR: What helped you sleep?

Posted by jackieboo1 @jackieboo1, Nov 2, 2018

I am a 60 year old woman 2 months post op from left knee replacement. I am having trouble sleeping. My knee feels like a square peg in a round hole. Tried pillow between legs, Tylenol and ice. Nothing seems to help.
Suggestions?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

That’s unfortunate. Try magnesium oral supplements so it works on your entire body.

Also as I mentioned Lyrica was great for me

REPLY
@babsarmour

I am 4 weeks post knee replacement. Only getting 3-4 hours of sleep. Have very restless legs plus still having hard time finding comfortable sleep position.

Jump to this post

Maybe try a king size pillow between your knees for side sleeping. This is what I did, and still do. Shorter pillows won't work because your feet come together, putting the knee at an awkward angle.

REPLY

I am five weeks out from my second TKR. While I am ahead of my therapy goals compared to my first TKR, (in July), I am also plagued by sleep issues. (Should mention that I have Sleep Apnea. Normally it is well managed with my Bi-Pap).
Even now, I can go to bed following an active day, ready for sleep, but awaken within an hour or two. Initially I would awake with fairly significant pain, now it is more discomfort, an inability to find a comfortable position. Even when I do find sleep it is often restless, a lot of turning and tossing. I use my device, we have blackout curtains in the bedroom and lower the thermostat at bedtime.
My journal reminds me that it was nearly six weeks after the first surgery before sleep became normal again. My surgeon tells me disrupted sleep is the second most common complaint post-surgery. (The first is, of course, pain).
It is unfortunate, given that the surgery and rehab is difficult enough, to have to endure poor sleep for several weeks afterwards. Hopefully people considering TKR are advised of this upfront.

REPLY

I don’t have any experience with prescription sleep aids …. But I also had same sleepless nights as many I used melatonin worked wonders said you can take two at bedtime I only needed one ….hope this helps

REPLY
@gregorymcg9

I am five weeks out from my second TKR. While I am ahead of my therapy goals compared to my first TKR, (in July), I am also plagued by sleep issues. (Should mention that I have Sleep Apnea. Normally it is well managed with my Bi-Pap).
Even now, I can go to bed following an active day, ready for sleep, but awaken within an hour or two. Initially I would awake with fairly significant pain, now it is more discomfort, an inability to find a comfortable position. Even when I do find sleep it is often restless, a lot of turning and tossing. I use my device, we have blackout curtains in the bedroom and lower the thermostat at bedtime.
My journal reminds me that it was nearly six weeks after the first surgery before sleep became normal again. My surgeon tells me disrupted sleep is the second most common complaint post-surgery. (The first is, of course, pain).
It is unfortunate, given that the surgery and rehab is difficult enough, to have to endure poor sleep for several weeks afterwards. Hopefully people considering TKR are advised of this upfront.

Jump to this post

Good evening @gregorymcg9, Congratulations on completing your second TKR. Do you remember having sleep difficulties with the first surgery? You indicate that the pain has dissipated and restlessness has become an issue. Have you ever used medical cannabis to achieve a pleasant sleep? I have been using it for about 10 years now...... through 2 TKR surgeries, one cervical spine fusion, and a couple of hand surgeries. It still amazes me how quickly I dose off for an uninterrupted night's sleep.

It is important to have comfortable sleep habits.
Chris

REPLY
@gregorymcg9

I am five weeks out from my second TKR. While I am ahead of my therapy goals compared to my first TKR, (in July), I am also plagued by sleep issues. (Should mention that I have Sleep Apnea. Normally it is well managed with my Bi-Pap).
Even now, I can go to bed following an active day, ready for sleep, but awaken within an hour or two. Initially I would awake with fairly significant pain, now it is more discomfort, an inability to find a comfortable position. Even when I do find sleep it is often restless, a lot of turning and tossing. I use my device, we have blackout curtains in the bedroom and lower the thermostat at bedtime.
My journal reminds me that it was nearly six weeks after the first surgery before sleep became normal again. My surgeon tells me disrupted sleep is the second most common complaint post-surgery. (The first is, of course, pain).
It is unfortunate, given that the surgery and rehab is difficult enough, to have to endure poor sleep for several weeks afterwards. Hopefully people considering TKR are advised of this upfront.

Jump to this post

Same experience here, now almost 6 weeks in but sleep is
coming around again. Albeit, I still have interruptions on
occasion. It’s part of the recovery.
I have taken a Benadryl a time of two and that takes me right
through the night but it’s not something you want to do on a regular basis.
Vince

REPLY
@ezas123

I don’t have any experience with prescription sleep aids …. But I also had same sleepless nights as many I used melatonin worked wonders said you can take two at bedtime I only needed one ….hope this helps

Jump to this post

I use melatonin too, but only time release. Otherwise, I'm up as soon as it wears off, a few hours.

REPLY

Hi Joe how are you? Long time no text lol …. I did not research the melatonin much my niece who is a nurse suggested it to me and I tried I had no ideal they had different kinds….I guess I did not go looking because olly worked for me I sleep through night …. Tell you the truth I still take at time now…. I am not a fan of insomnia….

REPLY

Insomnia after total knee replacement
Anyone else have this issue? How long might it last?

REPLY
@perilousowl

Insomnia after total knee replacement
Anyone else have this issue? How long might it last?

Jump to this post

Welcome @perilousowl, You will noticed that we moved your post to the following discussion on the same topic so that you can read what others have shared on the question of trouble sleeping after knee replacement. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can read what others have shared.

--- Trouble sleeping after TKR: What helped you sleep?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trouble-sleeping-after-tkr/.

One of the things that helped me was wrapping a flexible cold pack in a towel and putting it under my knee and leg when I go to bed. Sometimes I used a cold pack that I've used a little earlier in the evening and it's not quite as cold but still pretty cool when pressed against the leg. @ellerbracke @contentandwell @debbraw @doodles418 and others may have some suggestions for you also.

Does knee pain play a part in your insomnia?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.