BigRed
member
I am new to this forum and really need some help. My long-time orthopaedic surgeon who has cared for me through multiple kneecap dislocations of both knees has referred me to a knee replacement specialist in his office. He is the Section Chief of a well-known teaching hospital and seems very nice.
My concern is this. I am allergic to nickel and it is part of the alloy of the knee replacement prosthesis that the doctor plans to use. He has asked me to contact the doctor who did the nickel testing in the past and I am now awaiting testing with samples from the company that supplies the artificial knee. What scares me is that the allergy doctor has told me that even if the test is negative, there is still a chance that I can develop an allergic reaction after the knee is in me. I am petrified!
Do I keep walking around on very painful and unstable knees for the rest of my life or do I take a chance that I may become allergic to the metal makes up the knee? I know that none of you can make this decision for me. I do want to hear from anyone who is allergic to nickel to see what you experienced or if you have any questions I should ask the surgeon.
Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.
Thank you.
My concern is this. I am allergic to nickel and it is part of the alloy of the knee replacement prosthesis that the doctor plans to use. He has asked me to contact the doctor who did the nickel testing in the past and I am now awaiting testing with samples from the company that supplies the artificial knee. What scares me is that the allergy doctor has told me that even if the test is negative, there is still a chance that I can develop an allergic reaction after the knee is in me. I am petrified!
Do I keep walking around on very painful and unstable knees for the rest of my life or do I take a chance that I may become allergic to the metal makes up the knee? I know that none of you can make this decision for me. I do want to hear from anyone who is allergic to nickel to see what you experienced or if you have any questions I should ask the surgeon.
Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.
Thank you.