Flat lay, knee pain, what's wrong, and options???

[TiedUp]

The wife and I did a weekend trip and slept in our dutch hammocks. Still trying to work out the kinks of hammocking...
It seems like I sleep good the first 4 hours then I can't stay comfortable. Need to move and reposition. After the first night, my left knee was in pain like I had stretched the IT band while sleeping.
I lay on diagonal and use air mat, I thought it felt pretty flat but I think it was just enough pressure to have my knee elevated and put into the wrong position.
I'm leaning toward a bridge hammock now...wouldn't that be a flatter lay without as much side squeeze and knee pressure? Then I could roll over if I want.
Still better than the ground...at least I get half a night's sleep! I never slept good at all on the ground!
I'll throw in some pics...
Gotta get more comfy though...
How about hanging level vs dropping the head end a little? I have been dropping the head end about 2 or 3 inches lower as I remember that being recommended.

[TiedUp]

20160513_181035.jpg

Just lounging around

[Pvt.Donut]

Hang your foot end about 12" higher than the head end. Secondly, you could try throwing a pillow under your knees while you sleep. This helps keep my legs from hyper extending while I sleep. Play around a little more and you'll find out what works best, it takes some trial and error.

[weaver2469]

Hang your foot end about 12" higher than the head end. Secondly, you could try throwing a pillow under your knees while you sleep. This helps keep my legs from hyper extending while I sleep. Play around a little more and you'll find out what works best, it takes some trial and error.

I agree with this on both counts. I only hang the foot about 6" higher, but it is the same idea. The biggest trick for knee pain, in my opinion, is the knee pillow. Usually I only need it under my left knee. I used a dedicated air pillow for a while, but now use a stuff sack with any extra clothes in it. It just bends the knee enough to take the pressure off the tendons in the back. I can't sleep in a hammock without it.

[Shug]

Maybe a longer hammock would help too.
Shug

[SilvrSurfr]

I would imagine the air mat is a difficult thing to keep in place and stay comfortable on. An underquilt might be calling you.

[jadekayak]

I would imagine the air mat is a difficult thing to keep in place and stay comfortable on. An underquilt might be calling you.

I use a self inflating pad(from my ground days) and it is comfy and stays put.
I don't move around in the hammock when I sleep.

I also sleep down the middle.

I will change to an UQ eventually as it packs down smaller and weighs less.

[TiedUp]

That's what i was thinking too and i've been looking at them and making my plans. But after my left knee issue this weekend , I started wondering about the flat lay of the bridge...

One thing is for sure...there is nothing like the gentle sway of the hammock and i never want to go back to the ground until i have to be put in the ground then i won't argue!

[dandv]

+ 1 pillow or clothing under the knees. Been using a jacket balled up under my knees and it makes a big difference.

[ylnfrt]

I had the same problem when I started hanging and thanks to the fine community here I have fixed that. I raise the foot end @ 6" higher than head end and use a SRL (structural ridge line) set a 113". The SRL made a big difference. Now the boss likes hers to be level and SRL set at 110" (83%). Both of us now sleep the night and no calf or knee ache in the morning. Hang in there