Sleep
At this RECOVERY HUB you will find guidance on your road to recovery.
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Use this resource as a quick guide to common questions, concerns, and expectations for your early recovery after surgery.
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Remember, Dr. Deans' team is a call away for further guidance and clarification.
Expect Disruption - Then Rebuild a Routine
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Poor sleep is one of the most common frustrations after joint replacement. Pain, swelling, medication timing, sleeping in an unfamiliar position, daytime naps, and anxiety about the new joint can all contribute. A few poor nights do not mean your recovery is off track.
Set Yourself Up for Better Sleep
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Keep a consistent wake-up time, even after a poor night.
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Create a quiet, dark, cool sleep environment.
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Use a simple wind-down routine and reduce bright screens before bed.
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If you are awake for more than about 20 minutes, get up for a quiet, low-light activity rather than lying in bed frustrated.
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Time ice, elevation, bathroom use, and scheduled medicines so you are comfortable when you go to bed.
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Avoid using alcohol as a sleep aid, especially while taking opioid pain medication.
Positioning
Many patients prefer a recliner or a pillow ramp behind the back and shoulders early. We generally recommend sleeping on your back for at least the first 2 weeks unless you have been told otherwise. By later follow-up, side sleeping is usually reasonable when comfortable; a pillow between the knees may help after hip replacement.
Keep Perspective
Sleep often improves gradually over several weeks as pain and swelling settle. Do not judge the success of your surgery by how you slept last night.
Call / Seek Urgent Help
Contact your medical team if sleep loss is severe and persistent, if you are becoming confused, or if medication side effects are keeping you from sleeping. Do not add sedatives or sleep medicines to opioids unless a clinician has specifically approved them.
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Your own discharge instructions and medication list always take priority. This guide is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice.
Institutional Clarification
This website is operated independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of Nebraska Medicine or the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Any clinical work performed in partnership with those institutions is conducted separately under institutional policies, governance, and privacy practices.