alergy to metal in total knee replacement

[margaret11]

I had t TKR in september last year, however i am alergic to the metal i have been told by the doctor that it may have to be replaced but the second operation will be far worse than the first and there will still be a very high chance that i will lose my leg.
I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and if so what was the outcome.

 

[Josephine]

Oh my! What a dreadful thing to hear?

How severe have your symptoms been thus far?

 

[Sandy R]

Yikes! I'm so sorry about your predicament. Were you allergic to any metals before the surgery? I'm allergic to nickel (I can't wear earrings with silver posts, but I can wear silver bracelets and necklaces), so my OS had me patch tested for the different metals in the replacement, as well as some of the cements that are used... and adhesives, too. Luckily, nothing from the patch tests were positive. If it were me, would get a 2nd opinion from another OS and insist on getting patch tested to see exactly what metals and/or cement you're allergic to. Good luck!

 

[Rowdy66]

Oh, what an awful thing to hear, you poor thing. I am so sorry. Like Sandy R I have allergies to nickel and so OS did patch tests to make sure I wouldn't have any problems. Thank God, I don't know what I would do in your situation. I would follow Josephine's advice to the T though. She knows what she is talking about and will only tell you the truth. I will keep you in my prayers. Rowdy

 

[Linda2]

Could they test you for allergies ahead of time and find a replacement that uses things you are not allergic to? Another thought--I wonder if there are allergy shots for metal allergies like there are for dogs, cats, pollens, etc.

 

[Josephine]

Another thought--I wonder if there are allergy shots for metal allergies like there are for dogs, cats, pollens, etc.

'Fraid not! Nice thought though!

 

[Sandy R]

My OS told me there was a ceramic knee replacement, that he would have opted to use that if I had tested positive to the metals contained in the regular knee replacement. You might want to ask your OS about the ceramic replacement.
Sandy

 

[Josephine]

I Googled and found this announcement .... June 6th 2001!!

others
https://www.knee1.com/news/tech.cfm/35

broken link removed: https://www.covenanthealth.com/healthy/hwDetail.cfm?Post_ID=6024

broken link removed: https://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rid=24456

broken link removed: https://www.designnews.com/article/5314-A_knee_for_the_long_haul.php

But the most significant site is this one because, though scant in text, actually refers to a prosthesis! As far as I can read it, it seems to be either cobalt chrome or titanium with a ceramic coating.

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