Constipation

At this RECOVERY HUB you will find guidance on your road to recovery.

Use this resource as a quick guide to common questions, concerns, and expectations for your early recovery after surgery.

Remember, Dr. Deans' team is a call away for further guidance and clarification.

Constipation is extremely common after joint replacement because of anesthesia, opioid medication, reduced activity, and changes in eating and drinking. Our goal is to avoid going more than 5 days without a bowel movement.

Prevent it early and treat it before it becomes severe.

Start Here

Drink adequate fluids unless another doctor has restricted your intake.
Walk and change position frequently.
Eat fiber-containing foods and consider prune juice.
Chew gum several times during the day.
Reduce opioid medication as pain allows.

Medication plan

Use the bowel medications on your discharge list. Our typical protocol includes senna/docusate and polyethylene glycol (Miralax).

If you have not had a bowel movement during the first several days, follow your written schedule rather than waiting until you feel severely constipated.

If You Reach Day #4 Without a Bowel Movement

Follow the escalation instructions you were given or contact our team. Our clinical protocol may add a bisacodyl suppository and, if needed, an enema. Do not keep escalating medications indefinitely without guidance.

Call / Seek Urgent Help

Seek urgent evaluation for severe or acute abdominal pain, uncontrolled vomiting, bloody stool, or significant abdominal swelling. If you are approaching 5 days without a bowel movement, contact the surgical team even if you otherwise feel well.

Your own discharge instructions and medication list always take priority. This guide is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice.

Institutional Clarification

This website is operated independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of Nebraska Medicine or the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Any clinical work performed in partnership with those institutions is conducted separately under institutional policies, governance, and privacy practices.