How to Sleep After Cervical Neck Surgery?

After cervical spine surgery sleeping can be a big challenge, as your surgeon will suggest you to avoid putting the strain on your neck, shoulders, or back. To heal your body, sleep is one of the top priorities post-surgery. Getting a good night’s rest after cervical neck surgery means picking a sleep position that is comfortable and safe. Your surgeon at Spine Surgery India will also suggest you use pillows and extra support when you sleep and get in and out of bed correctly to minimize your pain and discomfort during the time of your recovery from surgery.

How to get in and out of bed?

The following are the steps you need to follow while getting in and out of bed and these are:

a) Sit on the bed edge: While getting in bed you should be very careful as you do not want to put your neck at risk of injury. For this, you need to sit down on the edge of the bed for about halfway down the bed and after that put your feet firmly on the ground by keeping your neck and back straight.

b) Lower your side by resting on your elbow: Slowly bend to one of your sides and put your weight on your elbow. Try to keep your weight on hips and feet so that you are well supported while sleeping.

c) Roll over to your back or side: When you roll over to your back or one side you need to lift your feet carefully up onto the bed by using your elbow to support you. While rolling on one of your sides you need to keep your neck and spine straight and also keep in mind that you do not twist these areas.

d) Roll to one side while getting out of bed: When you need to get out of the bed make sure that you tuck your arms at your sides and roll over to one side so you are at the edge of your bed. After that push yourself up by using your elbow and place your feet on the ground as you slowly lift yourself up to sitting. While rising yourself upkeep your neck and spine straight so that it will not affect you. Try to put more weight on your legs, rather than your hips or back, to get out of the bed.

How to select a good sleep position?

The following are the steps you need to follow to get the good sleep position and these are:

• You need to follow the instructions given by the surgeons at Spine Surgery India for e.g. if they recommend a collar or brace make sure you follow that. Your surgeon may suggest you wear a neck collar or brace so that you feel comfortable while sleeping or taking a nap in a recliner, especially when the collar or brace is on.
• Always try to sleep on your back to protect your neck and spine as this is the best sleeping position post-surgery. Keep your head, neck, and hips aligned as you lie down on your back so your body is well supported while you sleep. There are many people who find it more comfortable to bend their legs and place their feet flat on the bed when they are lying on their back.
• Your surgeon at Spine Surgery India suggests you sleep on your side if you find it hard to lie on your back; also you can bend your legs when you sleep on your side for added comfort. Your surgeon will suggest you not to sleep on your stomach as this can strain your neck.
• To take support while sleeping your surgeon may recommend placing a pillow under your head, but you need to make sure that the pillow is not too flat or high which sink below your shoulders or be at an angle up from your shoulders. You need to check that the pillow keeps your neck in line with your spine, rather than twisting them to one side.
• For your added comfort your surgeon will recommend you to use a pillow between or under your legs. If you are sleeping on your back then the use of a pillow or a rolled towel under your legs can provide you the better support to your back. If you are sleeping on your side then you can put a pillow between your legs to support your back and chest.
• Your surgeon will suggest you keep your arms below your head and neck which will ensure that your neck and shoulders are not strained while you are sleeping. You can place a heavy blanket over your body when you are sleeping which will help to keep your arms from shifting or moving in the night.

How to have a good night sleep?

Follow the following steps to have a good night sleep:

• To have a good night sleep you need a comfortable and quiet bedroom and also need to make sure that it is not too warm or bright, as a cooler, darker environment is usually best for sleeping.
• If you feel cold during the night or you required extra pillows on hand then you need to make sure that they are easy for you to reach as needed. You can put them by the side of your bed or on a chair next to your bed so that you will not need to move too much to reach them.
• If you need to switch from sleeping on your back to sleeping on your side you need to make sure that you will change your positions by taking the support of your one elbow. Always, try to keep your neck, shoulders, and back straight as you roll so you do not strain these areas.
• Your surgeon will recommend you to take the medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen which help you to manage any pain or soreness due to your neck surgery. If your pain is severe than your surgeon will recommend some high dosage but do not take more than what your surgeon has recommended you.

Tags: cervical neck surgery, cervical spine surgery india