Why You Can’t Sleep After Knee or Hip Replacement - And What Actually Helps

If you're wide awake at 2am after a hip or knee replacement, wondering why nobody warned you this would happen, you're not alone and nothing has gone wrong. Disrupted sleep is one of the most common, least discussed parts of joint replacement recovery, and most people spend weeks fighting it without knowing why it's happening or what actually helps. In this video, Dr. Alex Kaykov explains why your body treats surgery like an injury even though it was planned, why pain medication doesn't give you real restorative sleep, and why the position you default to in bed may be the biggest reason the swelling and pain keep waking you up. You'll also learn the practical sleep strategies she gives her own recovery patients, including what to do when you've been lying awake for thirty minutes, why morning sunlight matters more than people think, and where melatonin fits versus heavier sleep medication. In this video you'll learn: • Why your nervous system treats surgery like trauma even though you planned it • Why pain medication can knock you out without actually resting you • Why lying flat makes leg swelling and pain worse at night • What Zero Gravity positioning changes physiologically, not just how it feels • What to do when you've been awake for more than thirty minutes • Why morning light resets your recovery sleep clock • Where melatonin helps and where it doesn't • Why the emotional weight of recovery makes sleep harder, and why that's not weakness If you haven't watched the video on preparing your home before surgery, start there first. This one picks up exactly where that one leaves off. ABOUT DR. ALEX Dr. Alex Kaykov is a Doctor of Chiropractic focused on spine and soft tissue care. On Steady Again she breaks down what she sees every week in practice, in plain language, for people navigating surgery, pain, and getting their movement back. ABOUT STEADY AGAIN Move Better. Live Better. Steady Again helps you move, rest, recover, and live well through every stage of life. Powered by Svago. SVAGO Steady Again is presented by Svago, makers of zero gravity recliners built for recovery, circulation, and rest. Learn more: https://www.svago.com/products/motion... SUBSCRIBE New videos every week. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss the next one! FOLLOW Instagram:   / svagochair   Facebook:   / svagochair   DISCLOSURE Steady Again is produced and sponsored by Svago. Dr. Alex Kaykov is compensated for her participation in this channel. Product links may be affiliate or brand links, and Svago may earn revenue from purchases made through them. DISCLAIMER The content contained herein is provided for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Nothing contained in these videos should be construed as providing medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Watching this video, commenting on it, or contacting Dr. Alex Kaykov or Svago does not create a doctor patient relationship. Dr. Alex Kaykov is not your treating physician or chiropractor and is not familiar with your individual medical history, condition, or circumstances. Individual results vary, and what is discussed here may not be appropriate for you. Always seek the advice of your physician, surgeon, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, a surgery, or a recovery plan. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have seen on this channel. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. • Why can't I sleep after hip or knee replacement surgery? • Is it normal to have insomnia after joint replacement? • Why does pain medication not help me sleep after surgery? • Why do my legs swell more at night after surgery? • What is the best sleeping position after hip replacement? • What is Zero Gravity positioning and how does it help sleep? • Is it safe to take melatonin after surgery? • How long does sleep disruption last after joint replacement? • What should I do if I can't fall back asleep after surgery? • Why do I feel more anxious or low after surgery? #jointreplacement #hipreplacement #kneereplacement Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:41 What to expect 1:45 Activity in recovery 2:38 Biggest contributor to disrupted sleep 3:40 Zero gravity Position - NASA 5:15 Beyond positing 7:14 Recovery is lonely