Is an Adjustable Bed Good After Hip Surgery?

Is an Adjustable Bed Good After Hip Surgery?

If you’re recovering from an injury or facing surgery, you might be asking yourself if an adjustable bed is really worth the investment—or if it’s just an expensive extra without real health benefits. Many doctors and chiropractors recommend adjustable beds, and the Bed Tech Sleep Experts feel it's important to emphasize that they're far from just a luxury for your home or bedroom.

For many people, they’re truly impactful and transformative to their personal healing process. It’s important to remember that specific care instructions exist for different injuries and types of surgery—for example, the best sleeping position or how you use an adjustable bed can vary depending on your unique injury or situation. That’s why it’s always wise to speak with your doctor or orthopedic specialist about what’s best for your recovery and whether an adjustable bed is the right fit for you.

In most cases, adjustable beds can make a noticeable difference in your recovery, support pain management, and improve your day-to-day quality of life. In the next section, we’ll go over more details about how an adjustable bed can be especially helpful after hip surgery.

adjustable bed base

Who Benefits The Most From Adjustable Beds?

Adjustable beds can be beneficial for those facing health challenges, especially after surgery or as people become older and need assistance. Here’s how adjustable beds can help make everyday life a little easier:

People Healing After Injury or Surgery

After hip surgery, even small movements can feel like a challenge. Adjustable beds make it easier by letting you raise your legs or upper body to reduce swelling and pain. With more control over the best and most comfortable position for your body, getting in and out of bed is less daunting, and you can focus on feeling relief and healing one restful night at a time.

Older Adults

For many older adults, the risk of falling—especially when getting in or out of bed—can be a real source of worry. Adjustable beds gently lift you into a customized position. Functions of an adjustable bed, such as lifting up the upper body to get out of bed, make those moments safer and give loved ones extra peace of mind when it’s their time to get up and move about.

People Who Have Arthritis

If you have arthritis, you know how hard it can be to find a comfortable position while you’re trying to rest or go to sleep. With an adjustable bed, you can try out different angles until you discover what helps your joints feel their best. That way, you can wake up with less stiffness and start your day with a little more ease and energy.

People With Low Back Pain

If you’re dealing with sudden low back pain from a spasm, strain, or injury, having a bed that can support your hips, back, and body in just the right way makes a big difference. Adjustable beds offer relief that’s hard to find in a traditional mattress in the flat position. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or just need a little extra comfort to find some relief from your back pain, adjustable beds can help you lounge, sleep, and heal with less discomfort.

Adjustable Bed Features That Support Post-Surgery Recovery

Shopping for an adjustable bed after surgery can feel overwhelming. While the sleep experts at Bed Tech are not medical professionals, many doctors recommend adjustable beds. That’s why we choose to highlight the features that truly make a difference in your recovery and overall comfort:

Both Head and Foot Elevation

Having independent control over both the head and foot of the bed is something you want to look for with an adjustable bed. Many people are surprised to learn that some adjustable beds only let you raise the head, not the foot, which doesn’t really help you get as comfortable or find the best position for your recovery. After surgery, being able to lift your operated joint above your heart can help reduce swelling and improve overall healing. Some post-surgery patients sometimes end up with beds that don’t offer the lifting and lowering functionality they need—or none at all. 

If your legs can’t comfortably rise above your heart, you’re missing out on a key benefit for promoting beneficial circulation and managing post-surgical swelling. Luckily, all Bed Tech adjustable beds supply the full extent of head and foot adjustments. Ultimately, the right adjustable bed sleep system really makes recovery more comfortable and supports better circulation as you heal.

Consider a Split Adjustable System for Co-Sleeping

If you share a bed with a partner, a split adjustable bed sleep system with dual independent functionality could be just what you need. Maybe you need to keep your head up to make breathing easier, while your partner needs their legs raised to reduce back pain and swelling. Everyone has unique needs, and you shouldn’t have to compromise your recovery or comfort, so make sure to check out split and split head style beds by Bed Tech.

Customize Adjustable Base Height

Try to find a bed with different leg heights that come with the base itself. Having extra legs included to customize the bed height means you or someone else, like the adjustable bed delivery person, can set up the bed at the proper height, making getting in and out easier for your body and mobility. It’s a small detail, but adjusting bed height can reduce joint strain and, after hip replacement, even lower your risk of dislocation. I’ll share more about ideal bed heights for different people a bit later.

Look For Programmable Presets

It can take a few nights of trial and error to find the positions that help you feel your best—especially after surgery or if you’re dealing with chronic pain. Beds with programmable memory presets let you save the most ideal positions, so you can get comfortable every night without starting from scratch.

Consider Massage Vibration Mode

Massage functionality with an adjustable bed frame can help with muscle tension, promote relaxation, and even reduce inflammation. These features can encourage a more comfortable healing process as your body recovers. While massage routines are not a substitute for physical therapy or other medical recovery strategies, they can be a useful complement to your recovery routine.

bedtech adjustable beds

Getting Your Bed Height Right for Safety and Comfort

It’s easy to overlook bed height, but it can make a real difference in how stable and comfortable you feel lounging and sleeping in your bed every day. Ideally, your bed height should be just high enough so you can rest your calves against the side and sit down without bending your knees more than 90 degrees. On the flip side, if it’s a little taller, to be safe—especially after surgery—you shouldn’t have to stretch onto your toes or the balls of your feet to get in or out of the bed.

Getting your bed height just right with your mattress can make everyday routines much kinder to your hips and knees, whether you’re easing into bed at night or getting up in the morning. If you’re recovering from hip or knee surgery, the right height isn’t just about comfort—it can actually help speed up your recovery and reduce pain.

One thing that makes Bed Tech adjustable beds stand out is that they come with three different sets of legs (4-inch, 8-inch, or 12-inch) included right in the box, so you can experiment at home and find what feels best for you, all at no extra charge. Other brands might let you change the leg height, but they often tack on extra fees for each additional leg. If you’re not quite sure which height is right—especially if you’ve had surgery or have trouble getting around—don’t hesitate to ask your physical therapist or surgeon for guidance. Your comfort and safety are worth it.

bed tech power base

Maximizing Comfort and Rest After Hip Surgery: Using an Adjustable Bed Effectively

Recovering from hip surgery can feel like a lot to deal with. Still, small adjustments to your bed and sleep position can make a big difference in your comfort and healing. Next, some expert tips to help you rest easier and heal better after hip surgery.

Getting Comfortable After Anterior Hip Surgery

It’s perfectly fine—and often helpful—to elevate your legs after anterior hip surgery. Just be careful not to sleep upright or with your head elevated during the first three weeks. Sitting up puts pressure on the front of your hip incision, which can slow healing or make you feel swollen and sore.

Resting Safely After Posterior or Lateral Hip Surgery

For the first 6–12 weeks after posterior or lateral hip surgery, it's safest to lie flat on your back. If your mattress is too soft or doesn’t support your body well, you may sink in too much, which can put extra pressure on your hips, back, and waist. Sinking down can put you in an awkward or unhealthy position to heal properly. Lack of good posture during the healing process can increase your risk of hip dislocation. Raising your head and feet up might sound good, like it'll provide some relief, but it can also raise your risk of dislocation during this early healing period. The good news? Dislocations are much more likely during movements like getting in or out of bed, rather than while you’re actually sleeping.

To help keep your body in a good position, try using a Bed Tech pillow between your knees while lying on your back—this can make you more comfortable and keep your back and hips aligned. In the early stages of recovery, it’s best to avoid sleeping on your side until your doctor says it’s okay.

Should You Consider an Adjustable Bed?

Adjustable beds can be beneficial if you have back pain or orthopedic issues. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or dealing with ongoing aches, these beds can help you get comfortable. For many people, adjustable beds are more than just a bed upgrade; they’ve become an important part of recovery, and lasting comfort and relief.

However, it’s important to think about your own needs and budget before choosing an adjustable bed setup. These beds are not a cure-all and cannot take the place of physical therapy or other treatments your doctor recommends. Still, they can be very helpful for comfort and managing symptoms, and may make your recovery a little easier.

The most important thing is to talk with your doctor or orthopedic specialist about your sleep position, habits, goals, and any concerns, especially after surgery. After your procedure, check in with your care team to see if your adjustable bed is working for you or if you would benefit from getting one. By looking into sleep-improving products like adjustable beds and working with your doctor, you can find a sleep system setup that supports your recovery and helps you feel and sleep better.

Most doctors agree that adjustable beds can be a big help—especially if you’re recovering from an injury or surgery. That’s why so many people find all Bed Tech Adjustable Beds to be a comforting and reliable option when they need a little extra support on their road to recovery.

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