Golfer1
junior member
Although I had a TKA of my right knee 5 weeks ago, I am placing my post in the pre-op area because it is a big concern for those who think they might have a metal allergy to have it addressed PRIOR to surgery.
For years I have known that I would get a rash from wearing cheap necklaces or itchy, swollen ear lobes from cheap ear rings. I have even had to paint the back of metal watch faces with clear nail polish. When discussing knee replacement surgery with my OS late last year, I mentioned to him that I thought I had a metal allergy of some sort and was concerned about the metal implants. He told me that there was a blood test available to test for metal hypersensitivities and urged me to have it.
Long story short… I contacted a lab called Orthopedic Analysis in Chicago, had them test my blood and found out that I am HIGHLY allergic to nickel. The test cost $398, which was fully covered by my TRICARE military insurance.
I showed the results to my OS and it was a game changer. The implant he WOULD have used on me, if I had not had this allergy, would’ve been a Triathalon Knee made by Stryker. It has nickel in it. Instead, he used a Smith & Nephew implant with a hardened ceramic coating (Oxinium-Oxidized Zirconium) which is the “go to” for patients with metal allergies.
In addition, where he normally closes the incision using staples, he used a self-dissolving Monocryl stitch and surgical glue instead, because STAPLES HAVE NICKEL in them too!
I am SO grateful that I had this blood test prior to surgery. I am fully convinced that my body would have rejected the Triathalon implant and most likely the staples as well.. resulting in most likely another surgery to replace the implant later down the road, after much unnecessary pain and discomfort. I DODGED A BULLET with a simple blood test.
If you suspect that you have a metal allergy, you would be very wise to invest in this blood test through Orthopedic Analysis, even if your insurance plan does not cover the cost. It could change your life. (And, no, this is not a paid endorsement nor do I own any stock in this company!)
So, here I am, five weeks after my TKA. I had a 114° bend six days postop and a 123° bend at 4 weeks postop. Onward!
For years I have known that I would get a rash from wearing cheap necklaces or itchy, swollen ear lobes from cheap ear rings. I have even had to paint the back of metal watch faces with clear nail polish. When discussing knee replacement surgery with my OS late last year, I mentioned to him that I thought I had a metal allergy of some sort and was concerned about the metal implants. He told me that there was a blood test available to test for metal hypersensitivities and urged me to have it.
Long story short… I contacted a lab called Orthopedic Analysis in Chicago, had them test my blood and found out that I am HIGHLY allergic to nickel. The test cost $398, which was fully covered by my TRICARE military insurance.
I showed the results to my OS and it was a game changer. The implant he WOULD have used on me, if I had not had this allergy, would’ve been a Triathalon Knee made by Stryker. It has nickel in it. Instead, he used a Smith & Nephew implant with a hardened ceramic coating (Oxinium-Oxidized Zirconium) which is the “go to” for patients with metal allergies.
In addition, where he normally closes the incision using staples, he used a self-dissolving Monocryl stitch and surgical glue instead, because STAPLES HAVE NICKEL in them too!
I am SO grateful that I had this blood test prior to surgery. I am fully convinced that my body would have rejected the Triathalon implant and most likely the staples as well.. resulting in most likely another surgery to replace the implant later down the road, after much unnecessary pain and discomfort. I DODGED A BULLET with a simple blood test.
If you suspect that you have a metal allergy, you would be very wise to invest in this blood test through Orthopedic Analysis, even if your insurance plan does not cover the cost. It could change your life. (And, no, this is not a paid endorsement nor do I own any stock in this company!)
So, here I am, five weeks after my TKA. I had a 114° bend six days postop and a 123° bend at 4 weeks postop. Onward!