3 Tips for Better Sleep After Meniscus Surgery
- Keep your bandages clean and dry Before you go to bed, check the dressing around the surgery site to make sure everything is copacetic. ...
- Sleep on your back with the leg slightly elevated This is especially important during the first few days after meniscus surgery. ...
- Roll over to the “good leg” side
Should I sleep with my knee brace on after meniscus surgery?
After the first two weeks, you can sleep without the brace if you prefer. In most meniscus repair cases the brace is recommended for the first 6 weeks after surgery.
Can you sleep on your side after meniscus repair surgery?
Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. If you do choose to sleep on your side, roll to the non-surgery side and put a pillow between your knees. Use this position only if you're having no luck getting to sleep on your back, and remember not to bend the knee.
How long is bed rest after meniscus surgery?
Rehabilitation to gain full ROM should occur within 1-2 weeks. Heavy work or sports may be restricted for the first 4-6 weeks. Complicated arthroscopic repair of a meniscus tear requires that the patient's knee be completely immobilized for 2 weeks after surgery.
Should I bend my knee after meniscus surgery?
After the first week, you may then increase weight as tolerated and advance to one crutch for a few days and then a cane if needed. Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for four months.
What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?
You will recover more quickly if you carefully follow all your doctor's instructions. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.
How often should you ice your knee after meniscus surgery?
Ice helps with the swelling and can help to decrease pain after surgery. For the first few days after the surgery, “the more, the better.” Ice for approximately 30 minutes 3–5 times per day. The first night and first day following surgery, you should ice as much as possible.
Is walking good after meniscus surgery?
You can't walk right after surgery. How long recovery takes depends on the type of meniscus surgery and the severity of the injury, but expect two weeks down time, at minimum. The meniscus is a crescent-shaped pad of cartilage located in the knee that helps stabilize and cushion the joint.
Can I climb stairs after meniscus surgery?
Answer: Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
How soon after arthroscopy can I bend my knee?
At 6 weeks after surgery, you may gradually resume your previous activities if you have full range-of-motion, full strength and no swelling. Utilize a stationary bicycle to move the knee joint and increase knee flexion.
When can I drive after meniscus surgery?
You can drive when you are no longer using crutches or a knee brace, are no longer taking prescription pain medicine, and have some control over your knee. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
How long do I need crutches after meniscus repair?
With a proper rehabilitation program, you can usually expect to resume sports within four to six weeks after the surgery. Following a repair, you will typically use crutches for at least three weeks to allow the repaired tissue to become attached and to avoid retearing the meniscus.
Can you straighten your leg after meniscus surgery?
You can fully extend (straighten the knee). To avoid placing stress on the meniscus repair, do not bend your knee beyond 90 degrees (bent to a right angle). Brace and Crutches: Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, use crutches when walking and bear weight as tolerated on the operated leg.
How can I sleep comfortably after knee arthroscopy?
Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees. Avoid crossing your surgical leg across the middle of your body. Sleep on your non-operative side with pillows between your legs. Avoid bending your knees.
Should I sleep with my leg elevated after knee surgery?
The safe sleeping positions after a knee replacement are similar to a hip replacement. It's important to keep your surgical leg elevated while you're sleeping but to not put pillows directly behind your knee (this can cause stiffness and put you at a greater risk for a manipulation).
Can I climb stairs after meniscus surgery?
Answer: Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
How much pain is normal after meniscus surgery?
The pain settles usually within two to three weeks, but may take upwards of six weeks. Swelling in the whole knee up to six weeks. Tenderness around the wound sites up to four weeks. Muscle wasting in the thigh, improves as swelling and pain decrease.
How long does it take to recover from meniscus surgery?
Usually, most patients are expected to recover completely after a meniscus tear surgery but the recovery period is lengthy and may last from three weeks up to three months.
Why is it necessary to make adjustments to your sleeping posture?
In order to accommodate the postoperative changes in your body , it might be necessary to make some adjustments to your usual sleeping posture.
What is the best medication for meniscal tear?
In general, your prescription for the management of an operated meniscal tear would include a pain-relieving drug which can be either a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, or a narcotic analgesic such as oxycodone.
Why is an adjustable bed good?
An adjustable bed is an excellent investment if you have conditions like back pain, acid reflux, or sleep apnea because being able to elevate the angle of the bed can provide symptomatic relief.
How to reduce swelling in back?
Instead, focus on using the RICE principle to reduce swelling and pain, and sleeping in a comfortable position on your back – make use of a memory foam mattress, adjustable bed, or knee pillow if you have one.
Why is it important to get adequate rest?
It is extremely important to obtain adequate rest to ensure a speedy recovery.
Can meniscus be torn?
The meniscus can be torn during physical activities such as kneeling, deep squatting, heavy lifting, hyper-flexion, vigorous twisting, or rotating the knee joint (2).
Meniscus Surgery Explained (Plus What to Expect Afterward)
The meniscus is the cartilage located in the knee that serves as a cushion absorbing shock to the knee. Surgery is typically recommended when there is a tear in the meniscus. Depending on the case, it usually involves either a partial or total removal of the injured meniscus (1).
How Meniscus Surgery Can Affect Sleep
Dealing with post-surgery pain (and often stress) can decrease one’s sleep quality significantly. Knee pain and inability to find a comfortable position usually lead to difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and rising too early in the morning.
What Is the Best Sleep Position After Meniscus Surgery?
To sleep well after meniscus surgery and get enough rest, patients should find the best (and the most comfortable) sleep position.
Extra Tips on How to Sleep After Meniscus Surgery
Comfort during sleep after meniscus surgery can be tricky to achieve, but it’s not impossible. Here are the additional tools users can try to sleep more restfully while recovering:
Wrapping Up
Meniscus surgery recovery isn’t easy. Especially when the sore knee can easily ruin one’s sleep.
How to sleep after meniscus surgery?
Try breathing exercises to help relax. When you’re having trouble sleeping after meniscus surgery, try taking deep breaths to the very bottom of your lungs. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat ten times at your own pace.
Why is it important to keep your leg elevated after meniscus surgery?
This is especially important during the first few days after meniscus surgery. Keeping the leg elevated (but not bent!) encourages healthy circulation, which helps keep pain and swelling in check. This position also helps you avoid bumping the incision site, which can lead to bleeding and infection.
What to do before bed for a copacetic surgery?
Before you go to bed, check the dressing around the surgery site to make sure everything is copacetic. Keeping your dressing in tip-top shape—clean and free of moisture—is essential to avoiding infection, and before bed is a good time to make bandage check and re-dress (if necessary) part of the routine.
How to sleep on your back?
If you do choose to sleep on your side, roll to the non-surgery side and put a pillow between your knees. Use this position only if you’re having no luck getting to sleep on your back, and remember not to bend the knee. 3.
Do meniscus surgeries need rest?
But your body also needs adequate rest to heal the surgery site and rebuild damaged tissues. And once your meniscus rehabilitation program begins, rest will become even more important. Be sure to make sleep quality very a priority. The tips above are a good place to start. AlterG for your clinic.
Can arthroscopic surgery cause separation anxiety?
Leaving the comfort and attention you get in the hospital after arthroscopic surgery can create a bit of separation anxiety. What now? you ask as you stand up on your crutches for the first time.
Is it hard to rest after meniscus surgery?
Among the other causes of discomfort that accompany the post-op experience, getting some good rest after meniscus surgery can be a challenge. The pain itself is usually a factor, ranging from dull and tolerable to pulsing and intense. Finding the right position is difficult, too.
How to recover from knee surgery?
After your surgery, you need to get as much rest as you can to recover well . Here are a few things to remember to ensure that you sleep without aggravating your knee.
What is a Meniscus Surgery?
When we say meniscus, this refers to the crescent-shaped area of cartilage which is located above your tibia. Its purpose is to act as a cushion for the knee joint. Think about a stabilizer or a shock absorber where it can also reduce the friction every time your knee moves.
What is the purpose of the meniscus?
When we say meniscus, this refers to the crescent-shaped area of cartilage which is located above your tibia. Its purpose is to act as a cushion for the knee joint. Think about a stabilizer or a shock absorber where it can also reduce the friction every time your knee moves. Now, when you have a torn meniscus, this could be extremely painful ...
Can you sleep on your back?
Some of us are not comfortable sleeping on our backs. The good news is, you can sleep on your side, but make sure it’s the non-surgery one. What you can do is place a pillow in between your knees. Fortunately, the product we shared above allows you to do this comfortably.
What Is The Best Sleeping Position After Meniscus Surgery?
The first step to achieving blissful nights after the procedure is to figure out the right position to sleep. Once you get this part correct, several other things can fall into place to stimulate the chances of enjoying memorable nights.
How to reduce pain after meniscus surgery?
Ice can be a great way to reduce post-meniscus surgical pain to enhance the chances of better snoozing during the night. Like most types of surgery, arthroscopy involves the surgeon making incisions in the meniscus region.
What to take after meniscus surgery?
Pain medications can be the key to restful nights after undergoing meniscus surgery. Your surgeon may prescribe a specific anti-inflammatory to reduce the post-surgery discomfort and it is important to take the dosage as prescribed.
What is the best position to sleep during arthroscopy?
Back Sleeping: Lying down on the back with the legs elevated is the best position for arthroscopy surgery patients. If you’ve always preferred stomach or side sleeping, adopting this position, even if temporarily, can set you on the path towards quick healing.
Why do you sleep on a leg elevator pillow?
If you decide to sleep in a traditional bed, be sure to place the legs on a leg elevator pillow to enhance blood flow to the region of the surgery. This can reduce the risk of infections or bleeding while protecting the injury site from additional physical trauma such as accidental collision with the other leg.
Why is it important to sleep?
It can help us think more clearly, improves moods and decision-making skills, boosts immunity against disease, helps us maintain a ...
How to calm the mind after a surgery?
This ancient-old practice may involve taking deep breaths as well as visualizing yourself in environments that can bring peace and calm to the mind. Many forms of meditation can distract the patient’s brain from focusing on the post-surgery discomfort.
How to sleep after meniscus surgery?
When you’re having trouble sleeping after meniscus surgery, try taking deep breaths to the very bottom of your lungs. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat ten times at your own pace. Aside from helping you relax, deep breathing exercises encourage circulation and, in turn, reduce pain and inflammation.
How long does it take to recover from a meniscus surgery?
If you had a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to play sports in about 4 to 6 weeks. If you had meniscus repair, it may be 3 to 6 months before you can play sports.
Why does my knee hurt after arthroscopic surgery?
Excessive pain in the knee following arthroscopic surgery is usually due to overactivity or spending too much time on your feet before the thigh muscles have been adequately strengthened. Excessive swelling can also cause pain in the knee. It is normal for the knee to be sore and swollen following arthroscopy.
How long does it take for a knee to heal after arthroscopic surgery?
It takes up to six weeks for the knee joint to re-establish normal joint fluid after arthroscopic surgery. Because of this, you may not realize the benefits of your surgery for four to six weeks. There is a high degree of variability in recovery times
Why is it important to keep your leg elevated after meniscus surgery?
This is especially important during the first few days after meniscus surgery. Keeping the leg elevated (but not bent!) encourages healthy circulation, which helps keep pain and swelling in check. This position also helps you avoid bumping the incision site, which can lead to bleeding and infection.
How to keep knees straight?
Place pillows or a wedge underneath your heel (not underneath your knee). This allows you to elevate your leg above your heart which in turn decreases swelling and helps keep your knee straight. Using ice (20 min on , 20 min off ) or a cryotherapy unit will help minimize swelling and inflammation
How does walking help with pneumonia?
Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. You may have a brace or crutches or both. Your doctor will tell you how often and how much you can move your leg and knee. If you have a desk job, you may be able to return to work a few days after the surgery
What can I expect after meniscus surgery?
Within an hour, the meniscus surgery lasts for meniscal tears. After surgery, when a patient feels comfortable, can walk, consume fluids orally, and urinate.
How long after meniscus surgery can I walk?
After getting relief from meniscus surgery, you can increase your motion range, bear weight, and leave the knee support behind.
Can you bend your knee after meniscus surgery?
Yes, you can bend your knee after meniscus surgery. But you can’t exceed 90° of bend at the knee.
How long does it take to recover from torn meniscus surgery?
If your knee isn’t painful or swollen or if you’ve recovered motion, then you don’t need to wait over 4 to 6 weeks to get relief from torn meniscus surgery. However, you may need to wait for 3 to 6 months if the knee condition is worse.
Is walking good after meniscus surgery?
By using a walker or crutches, you can walk after meniscus surgery. But never try to walk within a few days after surgery. However, after 1-2 weeks later, it is good for walking after arthroscopic knee surgery. Some patient claims that it is good to start walking after 4 to 6 weeks of surgery.
