Knee Pain
How to turn in bed with Knee Pain
Step-by-step guides for turning in bed when you have Knee Pain. Practical methods from real bed mobility guides.
Quick answer
With MS or neurological weakness, muscles fatigue quickly and can spasm if you push too hard. Using gentle momentum, good body positioning, and low-friction tools like the Snoozle Slide Sheet lets you slide and turn with less force. Start from your strongest side, bend your knees, and use small rocking motions instead of big, effortful pushes.
Key steps
- 1.With one very stiff arthritic knee, the aim is to stop asking that knee to drive movement and instead use your better leg, arms and trunk.
- 2.Turning in bed is easier when you roll your trunk and pelvis first and let both knees follow together, rather than lifting the stiff leg separately.
- 3.Getting from lying to sitting is usually safest when you lower both legs together as you push up with your arms, using your legs as a counterweight.
- 4.A low-friction slide sheet like Snoozle under your hips and thighs reduces friction, effort and skin shear but must never be used to lift you or transfer you between surfaces.
- 5.Breaking movements into small stages with pauses helps manage pain and stiffness without overloading the arthritic knee.
- 6.Move slowly and in small segments to protect hypermobile joints from sudden strain or overextension.
- 7.Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the mattress before turning to stabilise your lower body.
- 8.Roll your hips and shoulders together as a unit, using your arms to guide and support the movement.
Icelandic-designed · Sold in pharmacies
Snoozle Slide Sheet
A home-use slide sheet that reduces mattress friction so you can reposition sideways instead of lifting. Made from comfortable fabric — not nylon, no handles. Designed for you, not for a caregiver.
- ✓Less friction when turning — less effort, less pain
- ✓Comfortable fabric you can sleep on all night
- ✓Handle-free — quiet, independent, self-use
Trusted by Vörður insurance for pregnant policyholders. Recommended by Icelandic midwives and physiotherapists.
In-depth guides
Bed Mobility
Getting In and Out of Bed with One Stiff Knee: Practical Home Strategies
Knee osteoarthritis changes how every small movement in bed feels, especially when one knee is very stiff and the other is only slightly better. Rolling, sliding your legs and pushing up to sit can all trigger sharp, protective pain. This article walks through how to move in bed and get out of bed step by step, using your stronger leg, your arms and gravity more intelligently. We look closely at the hardest moments in turning and in getting to the edge of the bed, and how to soften them using micro-movements, bed setup and the Snoozle Slide Sheet. Many people try to “just push through” with their painful knee, only to end up more sore and more frightened of movement. Here you will find safer alternatives that reduce effort, reduce shear on the skin around the knee and hip, and give you more control even on difficult mornings. You do not need to be strong or flexible to use these ideas. The goal is not perfection; it is to find the least painful, most repeatable way for you to move in and out of bed on most days.
Sleep Comfort
Mastering Safe Night-Time Movement with Hypermobility: How to Turn and Get Out of Bed Without Pain
People living with hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) often struggle with night-time movements that most take for granted—turning in bed, repositioning, and getting out of bed can trigger pain, joint instability, and fatigue. This difficulty stems from joint laxity and fragile connective tissues that require careful, controlled movement to avoid injury. This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to move safely in bed, reduce strain, and improve comfort during the night, using simple techniques and the Snoozle Slide Sheet, a low-friction slide sheet designed specifically for home use.
Sleep Comfort
How to Overcome Night-Time Freezing in Parkinson’s: Practical Bed Mobility Tips with Snoozle Slide Sheet
Night-time rigidity and freezing in Parkinson’s can make turning in bed and getting out of bed slow, painful, and exhausting. This guide explains why freezing happens, what typically goes wrong when you try to move, and how to use small, segmented movements to turn and get up more safely. It also shows how a low-friction Snoozle Slide Sheet can reduce resistance so you can reposition with less effort and strain, without lifting or risky transfers.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility with Knee Osteoarthritis: How to Move and Get Up Without Aggravating Pain
Knee osteoarthritis causes stiffness, swelling, and pain that make simple movements like turning in bed or getting out of bed challenging and painful. People with this condition often struggle with increased discomfort, fatigue, and disrupted sleep due to difficulty repositioning themselves. This article provides practical, step-by-step guidance on how to move safely and efficiently in bed, reduce strain on the knees, and use simple tools like the Snoozle Slide Sheet to make these daily tasks easier and less painful.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility for MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle to Move Without Pain or Fatigue
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often means muscles tire quickly, making simple movements in bed feel overwhelming and painful. This article explains why bed mobility is so hard with MS, what commonly goes wrong, and how to use momentum and positioning to move more easily. It also shows how to safely use the Snoozle Slide Sheet as a low-friction tool to reduce strain, protect your skin, and conserve energy while turning or repositioning in bed at home.
Sleep Comfort
How to Safely Get Out of Bed with MS and Neurological Weakness Using Snoozle Slide Sheet
People living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often struggle with impaired balance, spasticity, and muscle weakness that make simple movements in bed—like turning or sitting up—hard and sometimes risky. This guide explains what typically goes wrong, then gives clear, step-by-step instructions for turning, sitting up, and getting out of bed more safely. It also shows how a low-friction Snoozle Slide Sheet can reduce effort, protect your skin, and help you move with less pain and fatigue. All strategies are designed for safe, in-bed repositioning at home, not for lifting or transferring between surfaces.
Sleep Comfort
How to Move and Get Out of Bed with MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle Slide Sheet to Reduce Fatigue and Pain
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often means that even small movements in bed can cause rapid muscle fatigue, pain, and increased inflammation. This article addresses the common struggle of turning, repositioning, and getting out of bed safely and efficiently at home. We focus on teaching practical, momentum-based strategies coupled with the use of a low-friction tool, the Snoozle Slide Sheet, that makes movement easier, reduces strain, and helps preserve energy.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility for Those Living Alone with Pain and Low Energy: Practical Bedroom Planning and Movement Strategies
Living alone with chronic pain and low energy makes even simple movements in bed a daily challenge. The struggle to turn, reposition, or get out of bed can increase pain, fatigue, and frustration. This article teaches practical, step-by-step movement techniques and bedroom setup tips to reduce energy cost and protect the body. It also introduces the Snoozle Slide Sheet, a low-friction aid designed specifically to help you move smoothly in bed without strain or risk of injury.
Recovery & Sleep
Turn Without Your Arms: A Deep‑Dive Guide to Shoulder Surgery Sleep and Bed Mobility
Learn how to turn in bed after shoulder surgery without using your arms. Master a safe no‑push roll, set up your bed for success, and see how a tubular slide sheet like Snoozle supports independent living and smoother, shoulder‑friendly movement.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always get out of bed on the side of my better knee?▼
It is usually easier and safer to have your better knee closer to the bed when you stand, so it can take more of the push. For many people with a right stiff knee, that means lying on the left side and getting out from the right-hand edge of the bed, so the left leg is inside and can bend more. However, your room layout and habits also matter; a physiotherapist can help you test which side feels most stable for you.
Is it okay to use my hands to lift my stiff leg onto the bed?▼
Yes, using your hands or a strap to help lift the stiff leg is often a good strategy, as long as you are not forcing the knee into a painful bend. Support under the calf or ankle usually feels better than pulling at the foot alone. Combining hand support with a slide sheet like Snoozle under your thighs can reduce the effort and the strain on your back.
Will using a slide sheet like Snoozle make my legs weaker over time?▼
Using a slide sheet does not make your muscles weaker; it simply reduces the friction between you and the mattress. This can actually allow you to move more often and more confidently, which is better for joint health than avoiding movement. You are still using your muscles to guide and control the motion; you are just not fighting against the mattress as much.
My knee is very stiff in the morning. Should I warm it up before I get out of bed?▼
Gentle warm-up movements can help. Before you roll or sit up, try a few small, slow bends and straightens of both knees within a comfortable range, some gentle ankle pumps and a little tightening and relaxing of your thigh muscles. These micro-movements can reduce the feeling of rustiness without exhausting you. Then use the step-by-step methods described to get up with as little extra strain as possible.
Can I use the Snoozle Slide Sheet to lift myself out of bed?▼
No. The Snoozle Slide Sheet is only for reducing friction while you slide and reposition on the bed. It does not provide lifting support and should not be used to pull yourself off the bed or for standing transfers.
Is it safe to use the Snoozle Slide Sheet if my joints dislocate easily?▼
It can be used safely if you move slowly and stay within your comfortable range of motion. The low friction can actually reduce the pulling forces on your joints. However, if you have very frequent dislocations, discuss specific techniques with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist who understands hypermobility or EDS.
Where should I place the Snoozle Slide Sheet for the most benefit?▼
Most people with hypermobility find it helpful under the shoulders and upper back, or under both shoulders and hips. This allows the trunk to glide more easily when turning or sliding up and down the bed. For getting out of bed, placing it under the hips can help your pelvis slide towards the edge more comfortably.
Will using a slide sheet cure my pain or joint problems?▼
No. A slide sheet does not treat the underlying hypermobility or EDS. It simply makes movements in bed smoother and less effortful, which may reduce pain flare-ups and fatigue related to repositioning. It should be used alongside your usual medical and therapy management.