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What Is The Best Position To Sleep Post A Back Surgery?
Question: What is the best position to sleep after back surgery? We have adjustable bed, I've been sleeping on my side, but not with pillow between my knees. I sleep on my right side, but in the morning, my left glut gives me a lot of butt pain. My back, where the incision is, isn't as painful. We have a sleep number bed, should I put it at medium firmness and sleep in zero gravity?
Brief Answer:
Supine position is the best position
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting the query.
Usually, the best position to sleep after a spine surgery is determined by the diagnosis, patient's body weight and the extent of nerve decompression achieved during surgery.
Sleeping on the sides with knees bent to 20-30 degrees and the upper hand stretched over the hips is a pretty comfortable position to sleep in. You can sleep on either sides.
But if this position isn't comfortable for you, then sleeping in supine position, with arms by the side and a pillow or two, below your thighs and knees (to keep the knees bent at 30 degrees) would be ideal position. Taking a back support of a folded cloth (around 1 inch thick) beneath the back area will provide relaxation to the back muscles and nerves and will also help to maintain the normal lumbar lordotic spinal curvature.
On your sleep number bed, select maximum firmness and sleeping in zero gravity will help.
Whichever position you sleep in,one thing that should be kept in mind is that while getting up,you should roll on to the sides and then get up gradually by taking support of the hands.
DO NOT GET UP IN SUPINE POSITION DIRECTLY AS IT MAY WORSEN THE BACK PROBLEMS.
I hope the answer was useful.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Feel free to ask me any further doubts that you may have.
Thank you. Kind regards...
Supine position is the best position
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting the query.
Usually, the best position to sleep after a spine surgery is determined by the diagnosis, patient's body weight and the extent of nerve decompression achieved during surgery.
Sleeping on the sides with knees bent to 20-30 degrees and the upper hand stretched over the hips is a pretty comfortable position to sleep in. You can sleep on either sides.
But if this position isn't comfortable for you, then sleeping in supine position, with arms by the side and a pillow or two, below your thighs and knees (to keep the knees bent at 30 degrees) would be ideal position. Taking a back support of a folded cloth (around 1 inch thick) beneath the back area will provide relaxation to the back muscles and nerves and will also help to maintain the normal lumbar lordotic spinal curvature.
On your sleep number bed, select maximum firmness and sleeping in zero gravity will help.
Whichever position you sleep in,one thing that should be kept in mind is that while getting up,you should roll on to the sides and then get up gradually by taking support of the hands.
DO NOT GET UP IN SUPINE POSITION DIRECTLY AS IT MAY WORSEN THE BACK PROBLEMS.
I hope the answer was useful.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Feel free to ask me any further doubts that you may have.
Thank you. Kind regards...
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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