Sleeping
It is very common to have sleeping problems following surgery, however, sleeping is a vital part of your recovery. Sleeping problems could be caused by a variety of reasons such as:
Effects of Anaesthesia
Pain caused by the surgery
Stress associated with surgery
Inability to find a comfortable position due to wearing a sling
It is important to try and tackle the route cause first.
Tips for improving sleep
Try and establish a good pain relief regime during the day. You may want to time your pain medication to take half an hour before bed to allow them to kick in fully by the time you fall asleep.
Avoid taking short naps during the day as this can disturb your sleep cycle.
Caffeine is a stimulant which works well to wake you up in the morning so you may want to avoid any drinks with caffeine from early evening.
Try and relieve your anxiety by talking to people, listening to music or doing activities that relax you and keep you in a good mood.
Do not set unrealistic goals for yourself and end up putting yourself under pressure by comparing your recovery to that of others. Recovery is a long and gradual process and each patient will recover differently.
Sleeping in a sling
Depending on your procedure, you may be required to sleep in a sling so finding a comfortable position may be challenging. Most people find sleeping on the opposite arm very uncomfortable as it can make the operated arm flop which causes pain.
The best position for most people with shoulder surgery is the reclined position because it reduces tension in the operated shoulder and the surrounding soft tissue.
Placing a pillow under your elbow and hand will put your shoulder in a position that encourages the maximum amount of blood flow to your shoulder while you sleep.
Lie on a reclined position on the bed with a few pillows to strengthen your lower and middle back. Some may find it easier to sleep in a reclining chair.
References
Sleepstation (2022) Articles about sleep and insomnia. Accessed 30 September 2022.