“Only way I could sleep after surgery!”

Best night's sleep after shoulder surgery

"This recovery pillow has significantly improved my patients comfort and ability to sleep after
shoulder surgery."
Richard Stowell, MD
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Patent Pending

Better sleep means a faster recovery.

OrthoRest is a sleep system developed by orthopedic shoulder surgeon Dr. R.L.Stowell. Finding a comfortable and reproducible position to be able to rest is a significant challenge after surgery. Noting the importance of recovery in the literature and its affect and surgical outcomes, Dr. Stowell partnered with an experienced and highly trained engineer to develop the perfect solution. Poor sleep in the postoperative period was associated with a ~78× greater odds of impaired wound healing in one surgical cohort. [1] Let’s fix that.

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Sleep disturbances are the norm, not the exception
Research presented at the 2024 APTA Combined Sections Meeting found a high prevalence of sleep disturbances following elective orthopedic surgery — and a significant relationship between those deficits and slowed recovery. [5]
Poor sleep amplifies pain
Studies confirm a vicious cycle: poor sleep increases pain sensitivity, which further disrupts sleep. [7] One study found that a single night of poor sleep predicted higher pain levels and greater need for pain medication the following day. [12]
Sleep quality predicts hospital outcomes
Multiple studies have found that patients who reported better postoperative sleep quality had significantly shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and improved functional recovery at follow-up. [2][3]
Sleep better during shoulder recovery.
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The OrthoRest Shoulder Pillow is purpose-built to support your shoulder after surgery, helping you rest more comfortably through the night without constantly readjusting pillows.

Designed in collaboration with orthopedic specialists, OrthoRest provides stable, targeted support that helps keep your shoulder in a safe, comfortable position while you sleep on your side.

Patient Testimonials

I started using OrthoRest the first night home from surgery and it was a game changer. My pain levels dropped almost immediately.
Mark D.
Shoulder Surgery Patient
After my shoulder replacement, sleep was miserable. OrthoRest gave me immediate relief and helped me feel secure all night long.
Donna R.
Shoulder Replacement Patient
OrthoRest helped me finally relax at night instead of bracing for pain every time I moved. My recovery felt smoother because I was actually resting.
Angela P.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Patient
This pillow eliminated the nightly frustration of rearranging pillows. It’s firm, supportive, and clearly designed for shoulder recovery.
Brian H.
Rotator Cuff Repair
I was skeptical at first, but OrthoRest made a huge difference after my rotator cuff surgery. It kept my arm supported and reduced the aching that usually woke me up.
Karen M.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
My physical therapist recommended proper sleep positioning, and OrthoRest made that easy. I slept better than I had in weeks.
David N.
Rotator Cuff Repair
I was worried nothing would help with side sleeping after surgery. OrthoRest made it possible and comfortable again.
Susan K.
Labrum Repair Patient
The design just makes sense. It keeps your shoulder in a safe position without feeling bulky or awkward.
Rachel F.
Shoulder Stabilization Surgery
The shape is perfect. It supports my shoulder without pushing it forward, and I don’t wake up adjusting pillows all night anymore.
Chris L.
SLAP Tear Surgery
I felt supported but not locked into one position. That balance made all the difference during recovery.
Emily J.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Patient
What surprised me most was how stable it felt. Once I laid down, my shoulder stayed put. That made a huge difference in pain and confidence.
Kevin S.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Sleeping without pain helped me recover faster than I expected. OrthoRest was worth every penny.
Tom E.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
My surgeon warned me sleep would be the hardest part of recovery. OrthoRest proved him right — and then solved it. I wish I had found it sooner.
Laura B.
Labrum Repair Patient
Before OrthoRest, I was stacking pillows constantly through the night. This pillow cradles my shoulder perfectly and keeps me from rolling onto it. I finally slept through the night without pain.
James T.
Shoulder Replacement Patient
I tried every wedge and pillow combo imaginable. OrthoRest was the first thing that actually worked. I could sleep on my side comfortably within days.
Michael W.
Rotator Cuff Repair
This pillow eliminated the nightly frustration of rearranging pillows. It’s firm, supportive, and clearly designed for shoulder recovery.
Brian H.
Rotator Cuff Repair
OrthoRest helped me finally relax at night instead of bracing for pain every time I moved. My recovery felt smoother because I was actually resting.
Angela P.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Patient
The shape is perfect. It supports my shoulder without pushing it forward, and I don’t wake up adjusting pillows all night anymore.
Chris L.
SLAP Tear Surgery
I was worried nothing would help with side sleeping after surgery. OrthoRest made it possible and comfortable again.
Susan K.
Labrum Repair Patient
Sleeping without pain helped me recover faster than I expected. OrthoRest was worth every penny.
Tom E.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
I started using OrthoRest the first night home from surgery and it was a game changer. My pain levels dropped almost immediately.
Mark D.
Shoulder Surgery Patient
My surgeon warned me sleep would be the hardest part of recovery. OrthoRest proved him right — and then solved it. I wish I had found it sooner.
Laura B.
Labrum Repair Patient
After my shoulder replacement, sleep was miserable. OrthoRest gave me immediate relief and helped me feel secure all night long.
Donna R.
Shoulder Replacement Patient
Before OrthoRest, I was stacking pillows constantly through the night. This pillow cradles my shoulder perfectly and keeps me from rolling onto it. I finally slept through the night without pain.
James T.
Shoulder Replacement Patient
The design just makes sense. It keeps your shoulder in a safe position without feeling bulky or awkward.
Rachel F.
Shoulder Stabilization Surgery
I tried every wedge and pillow combo imaginable. OrthoRest was the first thing that actually worked. I could sleep on my side comfortably within days.
Michael W.
Rotator Cuff Repair
What surprised me most was how stable it felt. Once I laid down, my shoulder stayed put. That made a huge difference in pain and confidence.
Kevin S.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
I felt supported but not locked into one position. That balance made all the difference during recovery.
Emily J.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Patient
I was skeptical at first, but OrthoRest made a huge difference after my rotator cuff surgery. It kept my arm supported and reduced the aching that usually woke me up.
Karen M.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
My physical therapist recommended proper sleep positioning, and OrthoRest made that easy. I slept better than I had in weeks.
David N.
Rotator Cuff Repair
I started using OrthoRest the first night home from surgery and it was a game changer. My pain levels dropped almost immediately.
Mark D.
Shoulder Surgery Patient
Sleeping without pain helped me recover faster than I expected. OrthoRest was worth every penny.
Tom E.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
The shape is perfect. It supports my shoulder without pushing it forward, and I don’t wake up adjusting pillows all night anymore.
Chris L.
SLAP Tear Surgery
This pillow eliminated the nightly frustration of rearranging pillows. It’s firm, supportive, and clearly designed for shoulder recovery.
Brian H.
Rotator Cuff Repair
What surprised me most was how stable it felt. Once I laid down, my shoulder stayed put. That made a huge difference in pain and confidence.
Kevin S.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
My physical therapist recommended proper sleep positioning, and OrthoRest made that easy. I slept better than I had in weeks.
David N.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Before OrthoRest, I was stacking pillows constantly through the night. This pillow cradles my shoulder perfectly and keeps me from rolling onto it. I finally slept through the night without pain.
James T.
Shoulder Replacement Patient
The design just makes sense. It keeps your shoulder in a safe position without feeling bulky or awkward.
Rachel F.
Shoulder Stabilization Surgery
After my shoulder replacement, sleep was miserable. OrthoRest gave me immediate relief and helped me feel secure all night long.
Donna R.
Shoulder Replacement Patient
My surgeon warned me sleep would be the hardest part of recovery. OrthoRest proved him right — and then solved it. I wish I had found it sooner.
Laura B.
Labrum Repair Patient
I tried every wedge and pillow combo imaginable. OrthoRest was the first thing that actually worked. I could sleep on my side comfortably within days.
Michael W.
Rotator Cuff Repair
I felt supported but not locked into one position. That balance made all the difference during recovery.
Emily J.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Patient
I was skeptical at first, but OrthoRest made a huge difference after my rotator cuff surgery. It kept my arm supported and reduced the aching that usually woke me up.
Karen M.
Rotator Cuff Surgery
OrthoRest helped me finally relax at night instead of bracing for pain every time I moved. My recovery felt smoother because I was actually resting.
Angela P.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Patient
I was worried nothing would help with side sleeping after surgery. OrthoRest made it possible and comfortable again.
Susan K.
Labrum Repair Patient

Improve your rest and your recovery today!

Buy Now
Patent Pending
OrthoRest Difference

Designed to solve a clinical problem

Dr. Stowell didn't start with a product idea — he started with a problem his patients faced every single night. OrthoRest was designed from the ground up by an orthopedic surgeon, informed by the research on sleep and postoperative healing, to give shoulder surgery patients the support they need to sleep better and recover faster.
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Shoulder-Specific Support

Contoured to cradle the arm in a supported, slightly elevated position — reducing strain on the surgical site and preventing the painful rolling that wakes patients up at night.

Designed for Deep Sleep

The geometry keeps the shoulder stable so patients can relax into restorative sleep stages — where growth hormone release, tissue repair, and collagen formation actually happen. [9]

Recovery-Focused Design

Every design decision — the angle, the density, the contouring — maps back to what the research says post-surgical patients need: less pain interruption, better positioning, and more unbroken sleep. [7][2]

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I use OrthoRest after shoulder surgery?
What types of shoulder surgeries is OrthoRest best for?
Can I sleep on my side with OrthoRest?
Is OrthoRest adjustable?
How is OrthoRest different from a regular pillow or wedge?
Can OrthoRest be used on either shoulder?
Is the OrthoRest pillow washable?
Do I need a prescription to use OrthoRest?
Patent Pending

Improve your rest and your recovery today!

Buy Now
OrthoRest creates recovery pillows for orthopedic surgeries, especially shoulder operations. Founded by Dr. Stowell, the company solves discomfort during sleep post-surgery. Many patients, particularly side and stomach sleepers, find it hard to be comfortable. Contact us for more infromation on better sleep post-surgery.
Our Solution
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© 2026 OrthoRest. All rights reserved. Patent Pending.
[1] Das A, Gupta R, Huda F, et al. "Effect of sleep quality on wound healing among patients undergoing emergency laparotomy: an observational study." J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(3):503–512
[2] da Silva FR, Guerreiro RC, Barreto AT, et al. "Can Improving Postoperative Sleep Speed Up Surgical Recovery?" Sleep Sci. 2024;17(3):e335–e338.
‍[3] Total Joint Arthroplasty and Sleep: The State of the Evidence. Arthroplasty Today. 2024;27:101383
‍[4] Sleep Quality and Recovery in Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Surg Med. 2025;9(11):245–250.
[5] Effects of Sleep on Recovery Following Elective Orthopedic Surgery. Presented at CSM 2024 (APTA Combined Sections Meeting), Boston, MA. February 15, 2024.
[6] Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M. "The Sleep-Immune Crosstalk in Health and Disease." Physiol Rev. 2019;99(3):1325–1380.
‍[7] Chouchou F, Khoury S, Chauny JM, et al. "Postoperative sleep disruptions: a potential catalyst of acute pain?" Sleep Med Rev. 2014;18(3):273–282.
‍[8] Irwin MR. "Why Sleep Is Important for Health: A Psychoneuroimmunology Perspective." Annu Rev Psychol. 2015;66:143–172.
‍[9] Spiegel K, Leproult R, Van Cauter E. "Impact of sleep debt on metabolic and endocrine function." Lancet. 1999;354(9188):1435–1439.
‍[10] Perez AR, Destiné H, Patel NK, et al. "Effects of Melatonin on Sleep Quality and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery." Am J Sports Med. 2024;52(12):3075–3083.
‍[11] GQ: Laurence E. "The Best Sleeping Position, According to Experts." GQ. January 24, 2026.
‍[12] Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Bjurstrom MF, et al. "Sleep disruption and activation of cellular inflammation mediate heightened pain sensitivity: a randomized clinical trial." Pain. 2023;164(5):1128–1137.