Knee Surgery and Constipation

I used to work as a nurse and we had a Consultant who always recommended 2 pints of Old Speckled Hen and a Vindaloo for constipation. Never tried it myself but it’s worth a try. 😁

Hope you get success soon. Dh eventually had the very strong suppository - my advice is do not go far from toilet! as once it worked ……..

Things like Co-codadmol, in fact any painkiller containing codine causes constipation. Drink plenty of water, fresh fruit etc and buy some senna tablets.

I use Fybogel sachets (Ispaghula husk) prescribed by our GP, as the meds I’m on cause constipation, in spite of my vegetarian diet, with lots of fruit, veg and fibre. Constipation is awful!

I do remember it. It's awful. Glad things are improving. Soon this worry will be a thing of the past. When struggling on the loo always tell yourself -.'This too shall pass'!

I think the laxatives / stool softeners are finally working - things have been a (tiny) bit easier today. Thanks for all the help.

I've never experienced anything like it.

Look away now if you don't want to read but - the straining is awful! I've been desperate to go but my bowels are frozen when I sit and push on the toilet. I've had two children and this has been almost as bad! Getting up and leaving the bathroom after an hour without actually going is horrendous!

A bath!! If only I could actually get in or out of a bath post knee and hip surgery

Apart from Dulcolax I also have found running a warm bath and massaging my tummy whilst I relax in it very helpful .
I have chronic IBS and diarrhoea is my usual problem ,but occasionally constpitation sets in .

Hot orange squash! Also, there's a reason why visitors take grapes to hospital patients!!

Kiwi 🥝 help me and strong coffee and I take co-codomol and naproxen almost daily…🤞🏻

RebeccaJames

Thanks everyone.

Sorry - nobody wants to read about my bowels - but the constipation is the worst I have ever had.

I'm going to get some suppositories tomorrow or I am going to be sitting on the toilet forever.

Yes, you must do something about it asap.

Thanks everyone.

Sorry - nobody wants to read about my bowels - but the constipation is the worst I have ever had.

I'm going to get some suppositories tomorrow or I am going to be sitting on the toilet forever.

I used to love warm Ribena as a child - we were only allowed it if we were ill.

warm ribena

It's the codeine. Lovely stuff but it does bung you up. You should have been given a laxative but if not your chemist can provide something.

Boots glycerine suppositories to get rid of the blockage. And then follow the Laxido and extra fruit and plenty of water route.
Codeine is the culprit.

Thanks everyone.

They gave me laxatives and stool softeners - which had zero efffect!

I managed to go this morning but - and sorry, nobody wants to read this - childbirth would have been easier!

new knee + morphine = hideous constipation = agony. take every laxative you can - loads of fruit - figs - try everything people suggest. I changed pain meds to a cocktail of ibuprofen and paracetemol with zopiclone at night. knee replacement is worse pain than childbirth - but the constipation was epic. The good news is that now I dont give the new knee a second thought - utterly brilliant but I would not want to have to do it again and if I do then diet will be carefully planned preop.

I had knee surgery and was constipated when I got home. My GP said the constipation was probably caused by painkillers. I was on codeine at the time. Started taking paracetamol instead, and I've never had a problem since.

I have had both knees and both hips replaced. The biggest problem is the dreaded CONSTIPATION. Avoid Codiene at any price it is the biggest problem with constipation. Try ibuprofen and ice packs for your knee, the ice packs are wonderful. I was kept in hospital for an extra weekend because I could not do any exercises because of terrible constipation, I would advise enemas, your Dr should have prescribed them, I was given one in Hospital and it was such a relief to be able to GO. Good luck

I wasn’t sent home with anything other than the injections which I needed to do every day for what seemed too long. Also a raised toilet seat and two sticks.
You just need to get some of the drinks mentioned. It’s coedine that causes constipation. Best avoided if possible otherwise laxido etc. or try lots of warm water…hope you feel better soon.

Try a stool softener like Movicol. Also liquorice is a brilliant laxative. I always eat it after an operation so my bowel doesn't grind to a halt.

Just to add I’m post operative 2 TKR.

Rebecca I am SO surprised your GP didn’t send you to the hospital with very strong laxatives. GP’s know the strong painkillers needed post TKR cause chronic constipation!

I'd problems for 2 days, with both TKR. It's the codeine.

I ate prunes, lentils, and took on a lot of coffee and water.

Pain lasted a short time, hopefully you'll be off painkillers soon.