Getting Into Bed After Cervical Neck Surgery
To ensure you don’t cause further harm to your neck, be careful when you’re getting into bed. But first things first, make sure you dress the incision on your neck appropriately with a bandage to avoid bleeding. When getting to bed, start by sitting on the edge of the bed. Remember to put your feet flat and firmly on the ground while keeping your neck and back straight the entire time.Now slowly bend to one side, resting your weight on your elbow. As you do this, try to keep your weight concentrated on your feet and hips to ensure you are well supported. Next, carefully lift your feet as you roll over to one side of your back, keeping your neck and spine straight.
To avoid twisting your neck, wear a neck brace as it will help significantly maintain your injured neck. Otherwise, your neck can easily bend out of shape, which might cause a blood clot. Sleeping on a recliner or an adjustable bed will be better than a regular bed.In case you have a bone graft or spinal infusion surgery, then you’ll have to use a collar to hold the screws and plates in place. If not, you’ll be forced to head to the surgery room to get them fixed. If you don’t prefer using a neck collar, you can wear it for the first week up to ten days, then ditch them. But keep in mind that you won’t be entirely out of danger.
Bathing And Incision Care
Follow your surgeons instructions on when and how to bathe. Surgeons typically recommend keeping the skin around your incision clean and dry for at least 4 days after surgery. Avoid tub baths until the incision has healed and you are cleared by your surgeon.
Pain in the area of the incision is expected immediately after surgery and should subside as healing progresses. Follow your surgeons instructions on when to have sutures or staples removed. Some incisions are closed using dissolving stitches or strips that fall off on their own.
How To Sleep After Acl Surgery: Protecting Mental Health To Improve Sleep
Any surgery has the risk of affecting mental health as well as the body. While surgery should of course improve pain levels over time, increase movement and mobility, and allow a return to independence, the immediate effects of surgery can be decreased mobility, increased dependance on others, and increased pain for the short term.
Each of these, along with decreased energy levels and insomnia or increased tiredness, will affect the mental health of any person undergoing surgery. In order to improve sleep, it is important to maintain focus on your mental health as well, and find ways to relax enough to sleep well.
This could involve things such as meditation, taking pain pills as prescribed, maintaining friendships and contact with loved ones even when mobility is limited, and taking moments to do the things you enjoy in life such as enjoy favorite meals or warm drinks. Reading and keeping a journal are ways to care for your mental health after surgery or at any time.
If depression, anxiety, or other concerns arise it is important to contact your doctor. There are methods of care and medications if needed to maintain your mental health, as this is important for a full recovery. Recommendations for reducing feelings of depression and connected symptoms include using medication as prescribed, ensuring that you are resting as required and caring for the body and mind particularly through maintaining physiotherapy and getting fresh air and exercise.
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How To Sleep After Acl Surgery: Sleeping Positions Tips & More
ACL surgery is a common procedure to have, and as such there are many different methods to deal with the after effects and life after this surgery. During the healing period it may be difficult to sleep after ACL surgery, as there will be discomfort and some pain, and it is necessary to take the right steps to ensure a good nights sleep.
Its necessary because sleeping is vital to healing and can speed your recovery, and thats why weve put together this article to help you find a comfortable way to sleep and speed up your healing.
It will be important to control the pain after surgery, maintain a correct sleeping position that keeps the leg elevated so the knee is above the heart, follow all your prescriptions fully, care for your mental health, and provide the body with the fuel and rest that it needs.
We will show you how to do all that, tips, a timeline for healing and more, as we walk you through the best way to get a good sleep after ACL surgery.
Disclaimer: Although we share tips here, as always, you must consult your doctor and ask their opinion about what is right for you, as every individual case differs.
There Is A Right Way To Sit
Sitting can put a lot of pressure on the spine. How a person sits makes a difference. Generally, patients should avoid sitting with knees higher than hips. When getting up from a seated position, slowly move to the end of the seat and use arm supports to push up while pushing down firmly with the legs.
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Actively Participate In Rehabilitation
It bears repeating that patients should carefully follow their postoperative rehabilitation program. Appropriate exercise and stretching can significantly enhance the recovery process and decrease the chances of future episodes of pain. Exercise has the added benefit of helping foster an overall feeling of well-being for patients by increasing circulation and releasing endorphins, the bodyâs natural mood-enhancer.
- Stretch regularly. Patients should make sure that their treating physician and/or physical therapist provides recommendations and instruction on safe stretches that can be done following the surgery.
- Move regularly. Gentle, continuous movement helps circulate the blood, bringing valuable nutrients to the area. Patients should make sure that they understand any activity restrictions following the surgery and ask about which specific activities should be pursued or avoided
See 5 Nutrients to Support Healing from Back Pain and Back Surgery
Q: Does Wearing A Brace/wrap Help After Spine Surgery
Wearing a back support while recovering can help relieve some of that extra work normally placed on your back. Wearing a back wrap post surgery can help ease stress and tension placed on your spinal discs, muscles, and bones. At BraceAbility, we have a wide selection of post-operative braces applying light to heavy compression for every region of your back.
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Sleeping Techniques For Mid Or Lower Back Surgery
The best sleeping position to reduce your back pain after surgery is either on your back with your knees bent and a pillow under your knees or on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs. If side sleeping provides the most benefit, then make sure your legs rest on top of each other with your knees bent or have your top leg slightly forward.
Avoid resting your top knee on the bed and sleeping with your arms under your neck and head. A pillow placed behind the body and tucked under the back and hips can help you from rolling out of this position. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended when recovering with back pain.
When To Seek Medical Advice
- there’s leaking fluid or redness at the site of your wound
- your stitches come out
- your dressing becomes soaked with blood
- you have a high temperature of 38C or above
- you have increasing pain, numbness or weakness in your legs, back or buttocks
- you can’t move your legs
- you can’t pee or control your bladder
- you have a severe headache
- you experience a sudden shortness of breath
Page last reviewed: 28 April 2022 Next review due: 28 April 2025
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Back Sleeping Pillow Recommendations
Under Knee Pillow: According to an article by Tuck all about the best knee pillows, this bolster got the award for best pillow to use under the knees for back sleeping after surgery or an injury. A bonus to using a pillow under the knees is that it also reduces low back pain which can occur after surgery due to laying down more than normal.
Sleeping propped up can help to reduce the pressure on your pectoral muscles needed to sit yourself up or lift yourself out of bed- which is key after surgery. This wedge pillow got great reviews online and can help to keep you propped up while sleeping after surgery.
CHRYSALIS can provide you with common positioning advice to aid in a more restful nights sleep. Our members receive week-by-week recovery tips including movements, nutritional guidance and a private support forum. for more information.
Is Sleeping After A Discectomy Difficult
How to sleep after a discectomy is really up to the individual. There are no hard and fast rules regarding what position to sleep in.
Sleep with pillows for support and comfort, and remember you can only sit for a maximum of 30 minutes at one time, so when you sit on the edge of your bed, keep this in mind.
The main area of concern is how to get out of bed. You will need to avoid twisting the torso, which can be a challenging experience.
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Whats The Best Way To Sleep After Spine Surgery
There are many forms of spine surgery, depending on your condition. Your surgeon will select the best procedure to resolve your issue.
One such procedure is kyphoplasty. Its a way of introducing cement into your sine to resolve your pain issues.
But how do you sleep after kyphoplasty? Most spine surgery techniques require similar aftercare, and part of the aftercare is letting you know the best sleeping positions for your comfort.
Sleeping on your back is generally a good idea after kyphoplasty. Use pillows of varying densities to give support and for comfort.
A tightly rolled towel under the knees will prevent stretching the spine unduly.
You may have some local soreness on the injection site, but this will dissipate quickly and usually has completely subsided in 3 days after surgery.
A more significant issue to keep in mind is not to twist your torso excessively, placing stress on the newly fused vertebrae.
How To Get Restful Sleep Following Back Surgery
Sleep plays a key role in your bodys natural healing and recovery process. However, it can sometimes be difficult to get restful sleep after youve had spine surgery. After all, your body has gone through a significant trauma. That being said, its still important to get regular uninterrupted sleep as you recover so you can get back to your normal routine as soon as possible. Here are some tips for sleeping after spine surgery to help you achieve this goal.
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At Home: Pain Control
When you left the hospital, you got a prescription for narcotic pain medicine. Take it as directed, before your pain becomes bad. You might take it at least 45 minutes before a physical therapy session to prevent discomfort. Some people stay on the drugs for several weeks. Doctors suggest quitting within 3 months of surgery. Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 3 to 6 months after spinal surgery. They can slow healing.
Walk Often During Your Back Surgery Recovery
Your primary source of exercise post-surgery will be walking. It reduces pain and aids the recovery process by preventing potential muscle atrophy and blood clots. Expect to be up and out of bed the day after your surgery and every day while you are in the hospital.
That is to say, as soon as you can, get moving.
While at home, walk your planned indoor route six or seven times daily. Do not walk anywhere you are unsure of the footing. And, as you increase your mobility, dont forget: no BLTs .
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Creating A Conducive Sleep Environment
Aside from choosing the best sleeping position, you need to make sure your bedroom is quiet, cool, and comfortable. Although it may seem like an inconsequential thing, you should never underestimate the importance of creating a conducive sleep environment. It may be the only thing that will help you transition quickly to restâor perhaps the one thing that will keep you from tossing and turning all night.
Some of the factors you should consider when optimizing a bed for sleep include temperature, lighting, noise, and your mattress selection. If you tend to get cold at night, have blankets and extra pillows within arm’s reach. By the side of the bed or next to it is often a good spot as you won’t have to move too much to get them.
Sleep And Breast Surgery Recovery Go Hand In Hand
According to a study documented on WebMD, sleep and pain sensitivity are intertwined. When you are sleepy, you are cranky, moody, depressed, and anxious, Sleep expert Michael Breus, PhDsays. Every injury or type of pain gets worse with less sleep.
The study found that participants who got more sleep- between 7 and 9 hours per night- reported a higher pain tolerance.
One reason for this could be that when we sleep we are moving less which allows our bodies to dedicate more energy to sending blood flow, nutrients and oxygen to our wound or incision sites.
After surgery, we are naturally fatigued- partially from anesthesia or medications, and partially from our bodies working overtime to heal our surgical wounds. If youve ever had an injury, you know that being in pain can be exhausting. For this reason, you may need to get more sleep than normal during the first few days or weeks post-op.
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Additional Tips To Help Sleep After Acl Surgery
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain after surgery, as that can make it easier to fall asleep. A cold compress can be applied to the knee for 20 minutes at a time and should be wrapped in a towel or something similar before being applied. If using ice it should not be directly placed in contact with the skin.
- For ease of movement, it is recommended to sleep in a part of your house that has access to a bathroom and kitchen. This will reduce going up and down stairs and causing additional discomfort. With movement and mobility reduced after surgery, having easier access to the necessary rooms will also allow for some independence to be maintained.
- Wear clothing that is easy to change and can allow the use of a knee brace as needed. Tight clothing around the legs may be difficult to put on without assistance until the knee can bend fully and has returned to its full range of motion.
- A fiber supplement may be needed during the first few days or week after surgery. This will help to reduce the side affects of surgery, which can include constipation, swelling, and increased tiredness. Any form of discomfort can interrupt sleep, and this will create a longer and less comfortable healing process.
When Do You Need Cervical Neck Surgery
Since every situation and every patient is unique, it’s a bit hard to determine when neck surgery is necessary. Nobody wants to have cervical neck surgery, but sometimes, a surgical procedure is the only viable fix.
Naturally, trying alternative treatments and remedies is often the first course of action. But if you’ve followed this route and associated symptoms are still severe and interfering with your daily life, undergoing surgery may help.
Other common reasons to consider neck surgery include
Instability in the neck region – instability or excessive movement between your neck bones can cause unbearable pain with motion or certain sleep positions. This might also lead to painful muscle spasms. A surgical procedure known as ACDF can correct this as it fuses adjacent vertebrae, thus eliminating that painful movement.
Nerve compression that’s significant or worsening – having a pinched nerve in your neck can cause pain, weakness, and numbness anywhere along your nerve path. This means you may feel it in your shoulders all the way down your arms. Your physician can perform surgery to remove the pressure source on the nerve path, such as a herniated disc.
Compressed spinal cord – certain neck conditions like age-related changes to the spine can put pressure on the spinal cord. You may develop problems with balance and coordination or pain and stiffness. Your surgeon may have to create more room for the spinal cord through a surgical procedure such as a laminoplasty.
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Going Home: Pt Continues
After you leave the hospital, youâll need to keep doing exercises to strengthen your spine. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to go. At first, it may be several days a week. Walking is the main exercise. The more you walk, the faster you you’ll heal. Your therapist will show you how to do this safely. Most patients who stick with PT ditch the walker a few days after surgery and can move around with a cane.
Be Careful Bathing And Grooming
Do not submerge or wash your incision for two weeks after surgery. Instead, keep it dry by cleaning up with a wash cloth. During your first post-surgery doctors visit, your spine physician will inspect your incision, assess its healing progress and give you further customized instructions about care and cleaning.
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Tips For Improving Sleep
If you’re having trouble sleeping after surgery, it’s important to try to pinpoint the issue.
If lights are keeping you awake, a sleep mask may help. If you are struggling with noise, ask the staff to decrease the noise level or consider using earplugs. If the temperature is an issue, ask about changing the thermostat before going to sleep.
You may sleep better sitting up in a comfortable chair or with extra pillows, especially if you have sleep apnea or snore. Elevating your head can often decrease these symptoms and allow for more restful sleep.
If medications are interfering with sleep, ask your healthcare provider if they can adjust the dose or switch you to another drug. If pain medications are the problem, you may benefit from switching to a non-opioid pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil .
Bear in mind that over-the-counter pain relievers may not be as effective as their prescription counterparts. Weigh the benefits and potential consequences before requesting a change.
Never alter a medication dose or stop treatment on your own without first speaking with your healthcare provider.
You may need to ask family members to keep visits short if they are causing you stress. Most of all, don’t stay silent if you’re having trouble sleeping. The less sleep you have, the slower your recovery may be.
