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What Causes Diarrhea After A Hip Replacement?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2015
Question: Hi. i had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago. a few days after I got home from hospital, I had awful diarrhea. It had an awful odd smell and was slimey. I did a stool test thinking I might have gotten c diff or other bacteria. I got the lab results today and they came back negative. Of course,I was relieved but also trying to figure out why I had this horrible slimey, smelly diarrhea. Any thoughts? thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Antibiotics induced diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

1. It appears to be antibiotics induced diarrhea. Antibiotics, particularly broad spectrum antibiotics could have been given during surgery to avoid bacterial infections.
2. Secondary to antibiotics therapy, there is loss of commensal bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract. This loss can lead on to mild malabsorption and lead to diarrhea. As it is fat rich, it will be slimy and foul smelling. As there is no bacterial infection, lab tests will be negative.
3. Taking probiotics along with fiber-rich diet will help. Also maintain good hydration.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (50 minutes later)
you helped tremendously. i am and was taking omeprazole for acid reflux. would this have caused the diarrhea too. I have been taking this for almost a year now and never had diarrhea from it. But with the antibiotics would the omeprazole help cause that diarrhea? thanks you really helped me out
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No, Omeprazole should not cause diarrhea.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.

Ompeprazole is not known to induce diarrhea. However, on the contrary, gastritis can lead on to diarrhea. Medication-induced gastritis or any other type of gastric acidity can be controlled with omeprazole.
As you have been taking omeprazole for a longer time, no allergic cause also can be thought of.
Do continue omeprazole.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (19 hours later)
As mentioned before, I had terrible diarrhea for over a week and tests came back negative. For the past two days, I haven't gone at all. I always did have trouble going Would it be safe to take stool softener in a day or two if I don't go? Also, I did get probiotics today. Did not take yet. i was relieved I did not have C Diff. that was why i asked about omeprazole because i thought taking that increased your getting it while in hospital. Thanks again in advance
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Wait for a day.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.

I would suggest you to wait for a day. Increase hydration and fiber through bananas and cucumbers along with regular diet.
If still constipation persists, then stool softener can be used.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (36 hours later)
thanks. I started taking probiotics. I feel a little nausea. Is that one of the side effects? thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, it could

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.

Yes, occasionally probiotics are known to cause nausea. Sometimes it could be due to bad smell (if taken in packets, capsules should help), or wrong bacterial combination ( numerous combination present, you can try others) or due to associated drug combination ( changing brand should help)

Also, you can try yogurt as natural probiotics.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (10 hours later)
Thanks. i dont know if you can help me with this or i should ask orthopedic dr. as you know, i had hip replacement a little over three weeks ago. lately i have been having a pain in my back around si section. is that normal? part of the muscles that have been bothering me? will this go away in time? i have been walking with walker and cane, but it bothers me in that lower back section. Also, my quad muscles ar e sore, but i know that is normal from the pulling, etc the surgeon did to get to my hip joint. Thanks so much
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Muscles being used, so some pain is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for asking again.

Before hip replacement, you muscles use around the hip was less due to pain and increased rest.
Now, the muscles are put into action and hence some strain is being felt. Not to worry, it will go away.
Physiotherapy should help.
Watch out for any fever or infection at the site. If nothing, not to worry.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (16 hours later)
Out of curiosity, have you ever heard if anyone having pain around the SI joint after hip replacement? I was having this problem before the surgery and I was in hopes that the hip replacement would rectify it. It did for a little but, but started to bother me a few days ago and SI joint hurts when I walk.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, and it will take some time.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.

Not uncommon to have pain in the sacroiliac region.
Improper posture due to hip problem leading to pain in lower back is seen.
Muscle strengthening through back exercises, posture maintenance during rest and walking, and physiotherapy should help.
If any sacroiliac region problems were there, it would have been detected during evaluation of hip joint.

So, not to worry. You should be able to manage easily.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda

Geriatrics Specialist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2138 Questions

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What Causes Diarrhea After A Hip Replacement?

Brief Answer: Antibiotics induced diarrhea Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for asking. I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: 1. It appears to be antibiotics induced diarrhea. Antibiotics, particularly broad spectrum antibiotics could have been given during surgery to avoid bacterial infections. 2. Secondary to antibiotics therapy, there is loss of commensal bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract. This loss can lead on to mild malabsorption and lead to diarrhea. As it is fat rich, it will be slimy and foul smelling. As there is no bacterial infection, lab tests will be negative. 3. Taking probiotics along with fiber-rich diet will help. Also maintain good hydration. Hope it helps. Any further queries, here to help again. Dr. Prakash HM