Adjusting to a new prosthetic limb can be a difficult process. One of the most common questions that people with a new prosthesis ask is how they can get a good night’s sleep. Should a prosthetic limb be taken off before bed? What sleep positions are best? Answering these questions can help you form a sleep routine that will make adjusting easier.
Take off Your Prosthesis Limb
It is essential to take off a prosthetic limb before going to bed each night. Sleeping with a prosthesis on can cause injuries to the limb caused by awkward sleep positions or constant pressure on the limb from the prosthetic device. Besides the risk of injury, it is also vital for your limb to rest and rehabilitate at the end of each day.
It may be a good idea for people with leg prosthetics to keep a crutch or walking aid near their bed to help with night-time trips to the bathroom or kitchen.
Exercise and Stretch
Most people with prosthetic limbs, whether upper-limb or lower-limb prosthetics, will need to adjust the fit or size of their prosthesis at some point. In part because limbs change size or shape over time. Doing stretches before bed and in the morning after you wake up can help maintain the muscular structure of your limb and prevent the need for resizing.
Regular exercise also promotes circulation and prevents muscle atrophy. Keeping your limb as strong and healthy will reduce long-term injuries that can occur with prolonged prosthetic use, which in turn, will help you sleep better at night.
Shower at Night
Starting the day off with a shower helps many people to wake and feel fresh as they start their day. However, hot showers can also cause amputated limbs to become swollen. If this happens, a prosthetic limb may not fit correctly. It may be a good idea to shower at night so that your limb doesn’t swell and your prosthetic device fits properly in the morning.
Alternatively, if you just can’t do without your morning shower, try taking a cold shower instead. This will prevent amputated limbs from becoming swollen and causing issues when you try to put your prosthetic limb on.
Ideal Sleeping Positions
Everybody knows that the wrong sleep position can wreak havoc on your body. Waking up with a kink or sore spot that just will not go away is no fun at all. It is vital for people with amputated limbs to rest your limb in a comfortable and natural position. Sleeping on your back or stomach will allow your arm or leg to lay evenly on the bed and prevent overstretching the limb.
For leg amputees, try to avoid elevating your leg with a pillow at night. Positions like this can cause cramping or alterations to the limb’s muscular structure, leading to trouble fitting into a prosthesis down the road.
Try to Establish a Night-Time Routine
Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning is good advice for everybody. However, for people with prosthetic limbs, this is especially important. Developing an established routine will help your body fall asleep faster and wake up easier each day which can help counter the adverse effects on your sleep habits caused by a prosthetic limb.
Finding the Bed That is Right for You
Following these tips can help you to sleep better and feel more rested throughout the day. Another important part of adjusting to a new prosthesis is finding the bed that is best suited to your needs. For over 25 years, Transfer Master has specialized in making adjustable beds designed to help you get the rest you need.
