What is the Right Position to Sleep after Shoulder Surgery?

Introduction

A common question in my office is “what is the right position to sleep after shoulder surgery?”  Now there are a few positions that are typically painful and a few that are more comfortable.  In general whatever position you are most comfortable in is the best and right position for you.  Now in this article we will discuss what the most comfortable positions are and some of the reasons why. 

Shoulder Surgery and Sleep

Today we are going to talk about sleeping positions after your shoulder surgery. I usually focus on rotator cuff repairs, but there are other surgeries around the shoulder. Whether it is a total shoulder replacement, SLAP repair, other repair of the labrum, or something else.   They have similar recovery time, symptoms, and protection. Generally this advice should cover most shoulder surgeries.

The first and most obvious thing that you should do if you have shoulder surgery is to ask your doctor. Sometimes the surgeon will be able to tell you what to do before surgery. In some cases they will wait until after surgery. If something was different in the shoulder during surgery, it may cause the surgeon to change the post-operative protocol.  Remember that the easiest thing to do is ask your doctor or physician extender that works for the doctor what position will be the best for you to be in after surgery. In most cases, the answer is in fact whatever is the most comfortable for you. With that being said, there may be some extreme situations where the doctor does not want you to be in a specific position. Most of the time that position is not where you want to be anyway.

What is the Most Comfortable Position to Sleep After Shoulder Surgery-Typically?

The most consistent position that people want to be in after shoulder surgery (rotator cuff or otherwise) is in a reclined position. This will be the most comfortable for you when you are awake. This will also be more comfortable when you are trying to sleep. The reason the reclined position helps the most is because it supports your arm. It keeps gravity from being able to pull your shoulder in ways that would make it uncomfortable. For instance, if you lie all the way back in bed, gravity will pull your shoulder all the way back. If you lay on your side, you will either have gravity pulling your shoulder down, or you will be laying on the shoulder you just had an operation. 

A Recliner May Be the Best Option

If we say the right or best position to sleep after shoulder surgery is reclined, then how do we get there?   One of the easiest ways to get in a reclined position is using a recliner. Depending on how difficult it is, you may need help getting in and out of the recliner. If it is difficult, you are probably going to need help from someone to get in and out of the recliner. This will be true at least early on in your recovery. It also depends on what side you had surgery and what side your recliners button or lever is on. 

If it is on the side of your surgery it is probably not going to work.  While the recliner is typically the easiest, I would not recommend going out and buying a recliner. You may be able to borrow one from a friend or I have heard that there is a way to rent one as well. Using a recliner, you may or may not need a pillow under your arm.  It depends on how well the recliners arm rest fits you. 

Pillows and Wedges Oh My!

To get good sleep after shoulder surgery you will need some devices. Another way to get into the reclined position is to do it in your bed. There are wedges that you can buy that you can lay on. Some wedges have headrests that go on to the wedges. You can also use pillows, but that is a little bit harder to get the pillows into the right spots. You need to achieve a reclined position, but it is still certainly possible. Often even with the wedges you will still need a pillow to help support the arm.  The wedge gets the body in a good position, but the arm still needs to be supported.

Slumber Curve

Another option that I found while looking at different wedges is an interesting looking product called the slumber curve. The Slumber Curve: Home 2, which looks almost like a beach chair, except you put it in your bed. It looks as if it would work very well for rotator cuff surgeries, as well as multiple other surgeries pertaining to the shoulder. 

Slings vs Immobilizer

Sleep after shoulder surgery is more cumbersome if you have an immobilizer. A common question about reclining is does it matters if you are in an immobilizer or in a sling?   We may not know if you will be in a sling or an immobilizer until after surgery. Some of it depends on what exactly is done during surgery. If you are in a regular sling, it most likely means that the doctor did not repair or suture things back together.  That probably means that you would have more leeway than an immobilizer. If you are given an immobilizer, you probably had a more invasive surgery. This means you will have to protect your shoulder more than if you are given a sling.

Immobilizer

Typically, an immobilizer is used for a little while after surgery, especially if they get a block.  A block is an injection around the neck that numbs the arm for about 18 to 24 hours. The exact time spent in an immobilizer will be determined by the type of tear and repair during shoulder surgery. For instance, if you have a bigger rotator cuff tear you will be in the immobilizer longer. If you have a more difficult shoulder repair, you will be in an immobilizer for longer. Ultimately it comes down to what your doctor thinks is necessary. 

How Long in the Recliner?

After surgery, the time stamp for how long you will likely have to sleep in a reclined position is about six weeks.  Depending on what is done, what your pain tolerance is, and the input of your doctor. You may be able to return to a normal sleeping position in a few weeks to a few months. 

Conclusion

In closing, the right position of sleep after shoulder surgery is whatever is the most comfortable.  This most likely  will be a reclined position.  Also make sure you take pain medicine before bed so you can sleep.  Sleep is incredibly important in your ability to recover and heal.  If you are still experiencing pain or discomfort, do not be afraid to ask your doctor.  Sleep is paramount in your Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation.

If you have more questions concerning your shoulder injuries or are just interested in shoulders, feel free to check out my YouTube channel. Rotator Cuff Expert -Shoulder Pain Explained – YouTube “Rotator Cuff Repair Expert,” where I talk all things shoulders. Thanks for reading!