Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Pain Relief Before Bed
• Part 2 of 2: Pain Relief During Sleep
• Tips

Shoulder surgery is a major procedure and is usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and a significant decrease in mobility during several months of postoperative rehabilitation. Regardless of the type of surgery (rotator cuff surgery, joint lip repair, or arthroscopy), patients experience great sleep problems during the postoperative period. However, there are certain ways you can sleep more comfortably after shoulder surgery.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Pain Relief Before Bed

1. 1 Apply ice packs before bed. Reducing pain and irritation before bed will help you fall asleep more easily and sleep better, and your body can recover better during sleep. Before going to bed, apply ice packs to your shoulder for 30 minutes to reduce inflammation, numb pain, and provide temporary relief - all of which help promote sound, healthy sleep.
   • Do not apply cold compresses directly to the skin - wrap them in a thin cloth or towel to avoid frostbite and skin irritation.
   • Keep crushed ice or ice cubes on your shoulder for 15 minutes, or until the area under the compress is numb and the pain stops.
   • If you don't have ice, you can take packets of frozen vegetables or fruits from the freezer.
   • After a cold compress, the relief lasts 15-60 minutes and is usually enough to get you to sleep.
2. 2 Take your medications as directed. Another way to relieve postoperative shoulder pain before bed is to use over-the-counter or prescription drugs as directed by your surgeon or therapist. Take the recommended dose of the pain reliever or anti-inflammatory medication about 30 minutes before bed so that it will take effect by the time you go to bed.
   • Take medication before bed with a small amount of food to avoid stomach irritation. You can eat some fruit, toast, cereal, or yogurt.
   • Never take medicines with alcohol (beer, wine or more spirits), as this can cause a toxic reaction in the body. Take your medications with water or juice, with the exception of grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice interacts with many medications and can significantly increase the level of the drug in the body, which can be fatal.
   • Most patients require powerful prescription pain relievers for at least a few days, and sometimes as long as 2 weeks after shoulder surgery.
3. 3 Wear a support bandage throughout the day. After shoulder surgery, your surgeon or doctor will recommend, or possibly give you, an arm support to wear for several weeks. This bandage supports the shoulder and prevents the arm from dropping due to gravity, which can increase pain in a recently operated shoulder. Wearing a supportive bandage when you are awake will help reduce swelling and irritation in your shoulder at the end of the day and help you fall asleep more easily in the evening.
   • Wear a neck support band that is comfortable for the healing shoulder.
   • If necessary, the support bandage can be removed briefly, but the arm should be supported securely. Lie on your back as you remove the bandage.
   • If the surgeon tells you to wear the bandage all the time, you may have to go without a shower for several days. You can also stock up on a second support band and put it on when you shower, then change it back to a dry bandage.
4. 4 Don't strain your shoulder during the day. Protect your shoulder from stress while it heals to avoid excessive pain and irritation in the evening before going to bed. Although the shoulder strap partially fixes the shoulder, you should avoid activities that move the shoulder too much, such as jogging, exercising on stair treadmills, or dancing at a party. You will need to protect your shoulder for at least a few weeks or even months, depending on the type of surgery you had.
   • Walking during the day and early evening is good for your health and circulation - but take your time and don't overwork.
   • Remember that a supportive bandage impairs your ability to maintain balance, so be careful not to fall or hurt your shoulder, which will further worsen your sleep.

Part 2 of 2: Pain Relief During Sleep

1. 1 Wear a support band while sleeping. In addition to wearing the bandage during the day, leave it on overnight for at least the first few weeks after surgery. A bandage around your arm will help secure your shoulder while you sleep. In this case, you do not have to worry about moving your hand in a dream and this will cause pain.
   • Even if you leave the support bandage on overnight, do not sleep on the healing shoulder, as the pressure can cause pain and inflammation and wake you up.
   • Wear a T-shirt at night to reduce the irritation of the neck and upper body with the support band.
2. 2 Sleep in a reclined position. In most cases, it is better to sleep in a reclining position after shoulder surgery, as this helps reduce stress on the shoulder joint and the soft tissue surrounding it. To recline in bed, place some pillows under your lower back and mid-back. You can also sleep in a reclining chair if you have one - sometimes it's more comfortable than having pillows under your back.
   • Try not to lie flat on your back, as this position often leads to excessive irritation of the operated shoulder.
   • Over time, the pain and stiffness will decrease, and you can gradually move to a flatter (horizontal) sleeping position if it is more comfortable for you.
   • When it comes to timing, you will most likely have to sleep in a reclined position for 6 weeks or longer, depending on the type of surgery you had.
3. 3 Support the injured hand. If you sleep in bed in a reclined position, place a medium-sized pillow under the elbow and forearm of the injured arm - this can be done with or without a support band. This will improve blood flow to the shoulder joint and the muscles around it, which is important for their healing. Bend your elbow and hold a pillow under your armpit.
   • Rollers and rolled up blankets or towels can be used instead of pillows. Anything that helps raise your forearm comfortably so it doesn't slide down will do.
   • Raising the forearm and slightly rotating the shoulder while sleeping is especially useful after rotator cuff and shoulder joint lip surgeries.
4. 4 Use a pillow barrier. If you sleep in bed after shoulder surgery, even in a reclining position, you must not roll onto your side on your healing shoulder, as this could damage it. To avoid accidentally rolling over on your side while sleeping, place pillows on the side of your injured shoulder. It is better to use not soft, but elastic pillows, so that the hand sinks into them, and does not slip.
   • In order not to accidentally turn on your side and not to damage the healing shoulder, it is better to cover with soft pillows on both sides.
   • Do not use satin or silk pillows as they are too slippery to be effective support or obstruction.
   • You can also move the bed against the wall and sleep with your sore shoulder touching it lightly.

Tips

• A warm bath before bed can help you relax, but be careful not to get the support bandage wet. Take it off for a few minutes while taking a bath.
• Restoring a normal night's sleep may take several weeks, depending on the severity of your shoulder injury and surgery. Talk to your doctor about sleeping pills.
• Talk to your surgeon about sleep. He may give you specific recommendations based on the type of injury and surgery.