Questions & Answers · Hip
How do I sleep after a hip replacement?
For the first weeks: sleep on your back with a pillow between or under your knees; most surgeons allow sleeping on your non-operative side early — with a pillow between your knees — and on the new hip itself once comfort and healing allow, often around 4–6 weeks. Modern approaches have relaxed the old precaution lists, but your surgeon's specific instructions win over any webpage, including this one.
Night by night, honestly
- Weeks 1–2: back sleeping, pillow support, and yes — sleep is the hardest part of early recovery. Ice before bed and timing pain medication with your surgeon's plan helps more than any mattress trick.
- Weeks 2–4: non-operative side opens up for most, always with the knee pillow keeping the new hip aligned.
- Weeks 4–6+: the operated side re-enters the rotation when it's comfortable — and one night you'll realize you slept through without thinking about it. That's the milestone nobody puts on the discharge sheet.
Why the rules got shorter
Older technique guides came with strict months-long precaution lists. Modern approaches — and precisely positioned implants — are more stable, so many patients get a far shorter list. Which list is yours depends on your surgery; it's on the discharge sheet, and our rehab team down the hall will drill it with you.
Medically reviewed by Keith W.V. Johnson, MD, FAAOS · Updated September 28, 2026