5 Best Wedge Pillows for Total Knee Replacement
What is a wedge pillow?
A wedge pillow is literally what it sounds like, a pillow shaped like a wedge.
Wedge pillows are commonly used for people who have sleep apnea or breathing issues at night. They are also used for any condition in which a person needs to keep the upper-body elevated at night.
Here are three examples of wedge pillows:
Why should I use a wedge pillow after total knee replacement?
A wedge pillow placed under the surgical leg following knee surgery can help to reduce swelling, improve knee extension, and improve the quality of your sleep.
Elevating the surgical leg while maintaining proper knee extension throughout the night can help you wake up in the morning with improve mobility.
Anthony Maritato, PT
Physical Therapist
Anthony Maritato, PT has been a licensed physical therapist and private practice owner since 2006. Ohio license #PT011602.
Anthony has been passionate about helping patients recover from total knee replacement surgery as well as rotator cuff repair surgery.
Why are some wedge pillows flat on top?
These pillows are used for many purposes. The pillow that has a flat top is great for anyone who has full knee range of motion and is simply trying to reduce pressure on the lumbar spine or wants to reduce swelling in the knee, ankle, or foot.
A flat-top wedge pillow is not helpful for someone who is experiencing limited knee flexion or knee joint contractures. It is also not helpful for anyone who wants to use the pillow under the torso as a way to reduce snoring or sleep apnea.
What should I consider when buying a wedge pillow after knee replacement surgery?
I would recommend you consider 3 things: height, firmness, cleanability.
Height
For maximum benefit in reducing leg swelling and edema after knee surgery, researchers have found that the leg must be higher than the heart and ideally, the hip would be flexed to 45-degrees or more. [1]
I recommend for most patients find a pillow that has a height of between 12-inches and 18-inches for best results.
Firmness
The density of the pillow can have a significant impact on its effectiveness. Some pillows are too soft and allow the leg to sink too low or allow the knee to bend which reduces the extension stretch.
Memory foam, down, and cotton are some common materials with memory foam being the higher density.
Washability
Being able to clean the pillow is one of the most important features. After surgery, you may have some drainage from the incision. You may also have some iodine or other materials rubbing off your leg onto the pillow.
Most wedge pillows come with a cotton or synthetic covering that is removable and machine washable.
You may also decide to purchase a vinyl cover wedge. These are more commonly used for gymnastics, but they are highly durable, easy to clean, waterproof, and highly versatile.
We prefer the vinyl cover on our wedge pillows in the physical therapy clinic because we can easily wipe them down with a disinfecting agent between patients.
5 Best Wedge Pillows
* These are in no particular order.
#1 – HEALTHEX Bed Wedge Pillow Cooling Memory Foam Top
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#2 – ZOEMO Memory Foam Orthopedic Bed Wedge Pillow for Sleeping, Post Surgery Support
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#3 Contour BackMax Foam Bed Wedge Pillow Support System
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#4 Lounge Doctor Elevating Leg Rest Pillow Wedge Foam
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#5 Kӧlbs Single Leg Elevation Pillow | Post Surgery Leg Pillow
References:
1. Liaw MY, Wong MK. [The effects of leg elevation to reduce leg edema resulting from prolonged standing]. Taiwan Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi. 1989 Jun;88(6):630-4, 628. Chinese. PMID: 2794965.
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Anthony Maritato, PT
Physical Therapist
Anthony Maritato, PT has been a licensed physical therapist and private practice owner since 2006. Ohio license #PT011602.
Anthony has been passionate about helping patients recover from total knee replacement surgery as well as rotator cuff repair surgery.