Lounge Doctor

Anyone Had a Metal Allergy?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

cotton1958

supremo
Joined
Aug 9, 2009
Messages
2,318
Age
66
Country
United States United States
Gender
Female
I watched the TKR @ Mercy Hospital in Florida...well not all of it. Had to cover my eyes and move the video along. But I didn't realize there was a small possibility of nickel allergy. I'm getting a Stryker knee. So anyway, I remember growing up, I had nickel dermatitis. I always wear gold/covered with gold, and 1 silver ring. But my Dr. didn't ask me about this issue. I don't have a dermatologist either, and in Atlanta is takes a good while to fine one. Sorry if I am posting in the wrong place, I found an allerygy thread that was closed. Ugh.
 
Re: BTKR in 12 days time

Old threads get closed to prevent new members bumping old, old threads! Just as easy to start a new one.
 
Cotton, I moved your post to its own thread. If you think you may have an allergy to nickel or any metal, contact your surgeon and let him know. You need to be tested. Many times your surgeon or your primary care doctor can get you in to a specialist (like a dermatologist) much faster than you could do on your own. Bottom line is you don't want to risk having a reaction after surgery, so get this checked out.
 
Does your surgeon know now? If not, you should ring him soon and tell him.
 
:wow:Wow...never thought about metal allergy. They ask a thousand times about allergy. Call your doc and I bet he can get you checked quickly.

Saw you are in Atlanta area. When is your surgery and where?
Barb
 
Hi Cotton Welcome....Sorry about your allergy....So Jo, or anyone who might know. What happens if shes allergic, is there something else they use...Maybe you do know Cotton...IDK...but yes please call the OS.ASAP so they can work it out......Good Luck please let us know........
 
Wedlcome Cotton! You've already gotten the best advice! Call before you run into some real problems! (:)0)
 
Thanks for your replies everyone. The Dr's. office is requesting a disc from the manufacturer that will be in today or tomorrow, in which I will wear on my skin close to the surgical area.
 
Way to go, Cotton!!! Covering all the bases. Good job!
 
Actually, should have said, there's a knee that is suitable for nickel sensitive patients - it's called the Oxinium Knee. You can read about it here.

broken link removed: https://www.oxinium.co.uk/surgeons/metal_alergies.php
 
Thanks Jo. I really want the Stryker because that's what Dr. wants to use. So I hope I pass the allergy test. But I'm sure the Smith Nephew one is a good one too.
 
Please, please, please don't worry about which implant you get. It really doesn't matter - they are all the same post-op! The only real difference is for the surgeon who is using them - slight differences in instrumentation and technique. Nothing that should even interest much less concern you.

The important thing is that you find a good surgeon and accept whatever he uses. If it turns out you do need the Oxinium, it doesn't matter if you love this surgeon to bits if he's not accustomed to using this knee do not let him do the operation. Seek out a surgeon who uses them all the time. It matters a great deal, trust me. Too many have rued the day they bothered more about the choice of product than the choice of surgeon.
 
Josephine said:
Please, please, please don't worry about which implant you get. It really doesn't matter - they are all the same post-op! The only real difference is for the surgeon who is using them - slight differences in instrumentation and technique. Nothing that should even interest much less concern you.

The important thing is that you find a good surgeon and accept whatever he uses. If it turns out you do need the Oxinium, it doesn't matter if you love this surgeon to bits if he's not accustomed to using this knee do not let him do the operation. Seek out a surgeon who uses them all the time. It matters a great deal, trust me. Too many have rued the day they bothered more about the choice of product than the choice of surgeon.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jo.

I have the metal disc on my knee now.(actually it's to the side). I think it's going to be okay. I do realize my surgeon is perhaps into the one implant(actually I don't know that, I think just assuming and assuming isn't always good). And if it turns out I need to postpone if the reaction is positive, I would have asked him if he was the best for the product. And I have faith he would have told me if another was better than he.

A friend brought to my attention, that a lot of products I used (leather watch bands with buckle/clasp), well it could have been the treatment to the product too. I am feeling better tonight. Was having some major stress attacks earlier.

I now understand the stresses our friends, here, are on re: postponed surgeries.



Your suggestions is a huge piece of advice.

Thank you.
 
Dear Cotton 1958,

I, too, have a nickle allergy. I actually contacted Stryker and had someone send me a list of everything used in the TKR. My Dr. uses Stryker all of the time. I told him of the allergy and he said he didn't think it would be a problem, as the nickle content was so low - as I recall it was .05%. I had my TKR on July 14, and have been recovering nicely. I sometimes worry about the allergy, buy so far, I can't point to anything that would lead me to believe that my body is reacting to the implant. The incision has healed nicely, there is still swelling, but it is gradually going down.

Oh - one last thought. A week before my surgery, I realized the staples the Dr. uses to close the incision probably had a high nickle content. I called the Dr.'s office, and after some checking, they notified me the Dr. would be suturing up the incision the "old fashioned" way. It seems that staples are used because they are so quick. You might want to ask your surgeon about staples, if he uses them, and if they would cause you problems. Just think about the trouble it is to wear "hypoallergenic" earrings. I knew that I would be going out of my mind with itching if the staples had been used.

Good luck - hope all goes well.

Kathy W
 
I have the oxinium knee from Smith & Nephew. Always have been sensitive to nickel in jewelry and didn't want to have even the slightest worry about a reaction to the implant. It's been 3 months and I am starting to actually love my new, pain free joint!!
 
Hi all. I took my disc off today. No allergy. I feel kind of dumb. But I am thankful I am going to use the knees my Dr. wants me to use for my body. That being said, I have the eeks. I'm so very afraid. But I have already said that. But just wanted to let anyone know the result if they have an allergic question. Thanks and take care.

Oh, and editing. Thanks for your post Kathy, I am just finding it. I will look into that. And Chaco, I have heard good things about the SN. Spouse was really wanting me to go with this product.
 
Just got a call from the Dr's office. Rep told them I needed to keep my patch on now, until Monday. Oops. Glad I didn't throw it away!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Active Antibacterial

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

The Best Total Knee Replacement Blogs of 2020

Members online

Total: 262 (members: 5, guests: 257)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom