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Shahin S. Rad, M.D.
Fellowship Trained in Hip, Knee & Shoulder Replacement

Encino
16311 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1150,
Encino, CA 91436
Phone: 818-477-0787

Culver City
3831 Hughes Ave, Suite 105
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 424-603-6984

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How do I get a good night’s sleep after my joint replacement surgery?

One of the most common complaints after joint replacement is difficulty sleeping. My patients always ask, how can I get better sleep? The most common cause of sleep disruption is pain. It has been reported that more than half of patients wake up with pain after joint replacement.

Many factors can affect the quality of sleep after a major surgery including anesthesia-type, narcotic use and discomfort due to pain or restricted leg movements. As sleep is crucial to the recovery process, it is important to follow appropriate pain management protocols. Contemporary pain management protocols are designed to be multifaceted and inhibit pain in a multitude of ways. Many protocols use a variety of injections and nerve blocks for localized pain, as well as employing narcotics and anti-inflammatory medication for several weeks after surgery. As such, pain protocols should be fully followed to ensure an adequate recovery.

Usually around the second or third week after surgery, you will start to increase your activity levels while at the same time decrease your narcotic use. This often coincides with having a difficult time sleeping. When this occurs, you should take your pain medication an hour before bed to achieve better comfort and help restore your sleep cycle. A few days off from strenuous activity or physical therapy will not inhibit your recovery, but can have a tremendous effect on your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Overall, sleep deprivation after total joint replacement is manageable through pain management, the occasional use of sleeping pills, and activity modification.

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