Comfort Layer w Torn Rotator Cuff - Can You Zone This Layer?

[misterawesome]

Due to a torn rotator cuff, I need a soft support layer to reduce the amount my arm falls asleep. However, if that layer is too soft I get pain via my hips sinking through. Has anyone ever experienced creating a hybrid/split comfort layer?

I’m thinking I might benefit from having a 1/3 // 2/3 split - softer for my shoulders, firmer at the hips. I would be willing to buy two individual layers and cut them to size. But I am wondering if this is a terrible idea – either because of having two materials instead of one (I would glue together if it makes a difference), or potentially really messing up my alignment. My other thought would be to simply add an extra bit of soft foam under the shoulder area, but would then increase the angle at which I’m sleeping.

[MattressToGo]

misterawesome:

Here’s two additional ideas you may wish to add to your list of things to consider for shoulder pain relief (acute injury, chronic pain, or surgery recovery):

1. MedCline shoulder system. They have a shoulder relief pillow system with a channel that helps take some of the pressure off of the shoulder joint. I made a DIY system by stacking pillows similar to their system when recovering from both of my shoulder surgeries and found considerable relief, but your mileage may vary. MedCline com.

2. Channel Mattress Company. This is a product, designed as a mattress and a topper, that has a channel carved out to assist with shoulder joint pressure relief. The product is still in some sort of a prototype / crowd funding phase, so I don’t think they’re available to purchase. But some prototypes have been distributed, and you might be able to acquire one if you contact the inventor (his contact email is on his website). ChannelMattress com.

[Mattrebuild]

@misterawesome

Due to a torn rotator cuff, I need a soft support layer to reduce the amount my arm falls asleep. However, if that layer is too soft I get pain via my hips sinking through. Has anyone ever experienced creating a hybrid/split comfort layer?

I’m thinking I might benefit from having a 1/3 // 2/3 split - softer for my shoulders, firmer at the hips. I would be willing to buy two individual layers and cut them to size. But I am wondering if this is a terrible idea – either because of having two materials instead of one (I would glue together if it makes a difference), or potentially really messing up my alignment. My other thought would be to simply add an extra bit of soft foam under the shoulder area, but would then increase the angle at which I’m sleeping.

Yes, this would work well and that’s basically what many of the zoned mattress options are doing (Flobeds being one of the most configurable). Make sure to cut the layer just where your armpit would be to ensure you provide maximum support in the chest area and this allows you to take pressure off the shoulder which helps for your injury. You may need to experiment with what firmnesses you like best but overall it will work fine. You might also try the Flobeds convoluted topper on top as that adds extra contouring for shoulders/hips which could be beneficial in this case.