4 Tips to Help You Sleep Better with a Prosthetic Leg

16 November 2016

Jaime Allen

When getting a prosthetic leg for the first time, learning new ways to perform daily tasks can take time. The challenge of adjusting to life with a prosthetic leg aren't limited to daytime activities, either. Even something as simple as sleeping can require adjustment. If you'll be a prosthetic leg soon, here are four tips to help you sleep well during the nights following your procedure.

Shower the Night Before You Get Your Prosthetic Leg

You'll want to take a shower (or bath) the night before you receive your prosthetic leg so that you don't have to worry about washing up in the days immediately following the procedure. Not only will you have one less thing to worry about, but lower extremities can swell in the shower. The warm water and gravity will both cause the remaining portion of your leg to swell—which will make fitting your prosthetic device difficult.

Over time, InMotion notes, this issue will subside. If you can go a few days without showering immediately following when you first get your prosthetic device, though, you won't have to worry about it not fitting properly after you get out of the shower.

Make Sure Your Legs Are Properly Aligned

You'll be most comfortable, and, therefore, able to sleep better, when your legs are properly aligned. To make sure your lower limbs are properly aligned, you may have to sleep with pillows propping one or both up. Ask your doctor to show you how your legs should be aligned when sleeping, and then use pillows or other props to help align them at night. Your doctor will be able to show you positions that are both comfortable and good for each leg.

Stretch Both of Your Legs

Just because you have a prosthetic device on one leg doesn't mean you shouldn't stretch it. Stretching both your legs daily will help keep them flexible and reduce discomfort. If you're having trouble stretching the leg that has a prosthetic device, ask your doctor or physical therapist to show you stretches that you can do at home.

Consider a Different Mattress

You may want a different mattress after getting a prosthetic device. How firm or soft you prefer your mattress to be will partially depend on how heavy your body is, because that affects how much you sink into your mattress. With a prosthetic device, the weight of your body will change—and you might want a firmer or softer mattress.

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