- Joined
- Aug 9, 2013
- Messages
- 6,149
- Age
- 67
- Location
- Northern California
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
@Floridagal I don't know what the implants are all made of but the one I have does have nickel. Most people are fine, but from my understanding, there are a few of us with nickel and other metal allergies. I think they should include a question about allergic reactions to jewelry, belt buckles, etc, in the paperwork before a TKR, or in the verbal questions, to catch the small percentage who do genuinely have problems. The metal test is a lot cheaper than a revision. We did a skin test on me and I was surprised to see a really bad rash form and continue to spread for a while as I'd never had a problem with belt buckles, just severe problems with earrings not made from surgical steel. My ears start itching within a few minutes after wearing them, and within a short time they start oozing and bleeding. I told my OS I didn't think the skin test would be positive, but I was wrong about that. I don't really know if the skin tests are always a reliable indicator or not, as the implant is internal, whereas the skin test isn't, but my opinion is they should strongly consider or just do the LTT test on those who have had a history of severe reactions to nickel.