The best way to get into bed please?

Sh8ron

Hi Friends, I have OA in both hips. I live alone with no daytime assistance. I have pain getting into bed, almost every night, and if I get up for the loo in the night I have to go through it again. At the moment I use a leg lifter (an infinity scarf) to lift left leg, wiggle as much as I can then "launch" my better leg onto the bed. I use my metal headboard to help me get into a sitting position to be able to read. This seems to be one way, but do you have any safer, better, or more streamlined ways to do it please? Thanks Sharon.

Naomi33

Hello @sh8ron

Sorry to hear your concerns about getting out of bed.

I do all sorts of things as pain varies but the following link maybe of assistance to you ……

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/your-home/

Good luck @Naomi33

Trish9556

Hi @Sh8ron

The way I was taught by my hospital physio (I'm now day 14) was

Sit on the edge of the bed as far up the head end as you can get

Shuffle back as far as you can go toward the centre of the bed

Move your legs onto the bed moving yourself with the heel of your good leg till you're on the bed the shuffle around using your hands and heel to align yourself with the edge of the bed. I also grab hold of the metal headboard.

My husband bought a step with a hand rail on but I didn't get on with it. I seem to have mastered getting in and outo of bed by day 3 and definitely not screaming as much by then unless I moved the wrong way.

Good luck

Trish

Sh8ron

Thanks Trish! I too have a stepladder next to my bed and I use the bottom step to rest my leg and push against (it's next to a wall) so I can get as far onto the bed as I can. So much like yourself by the sounds of it! And it confirms to me that it's ok if it is working for me (us). Much appreciated, Sharon 😊