TKR and red splotches

Shelley,

I've had both knees replaced and never experienced this. I would get it checked out as soon as possible. It may be unrelated to your TKR, but better to have a medical professional check. As far as I know, this symptom isn't usually mentioned with TKR. Better to be safe.

Please let us know, and all the best to you. Joe

Gives. Common after joint replacements. Prednisone will knock it out. It could also be a nerve reaction to the surgery. Your doctor can tell you for sure.

Hives?

Per the surgeon, my splotches are nothing to be concerned about and will go away in time.
I’m including a photo for reference.

I have splotches just like that on both legs and both arms. I showed them to my surgeon at my six months post op and he said it looked like eczema. It got worse and I asked him again at my 1 year check up TKR I had him to look at my arms and I asked him if I could be allergic to the metal in the knee replacement and he said no. I have never had my arms look so bad. They itch and get red patches. I went to my dermatologist and he gave me a lotion to put on my arms and legs and I have used it for one month and no better. I think I’m allergic to something used in my knee surgery but just don’t know. So I will see how it goes but it certainly itches and never had this before! Let me know if you find out what it is. Good luck!

I am very sorry that you are experiencing this. It has been my worst fear that the splotches are due to an allergic reaction from the implant. I did ask the surgeon and he said it was nothing to worry about but that wasn’t a very satisfactory response. Hopefully an answer will turn up.

Shelley,

I have seen several articles about various metals causing hive like reactions after joint replacements.

Here is a post from @okieshan1 about metal allergy testing prior to joint replacement surgery:

Need TKR and had positive allergy testing / Bone Cement and Metals
Posted by okieshan1 @okieshan1, Sep 13, 2018
Does anyone have any suggestions on any medical replacement joints on the market my orthopedic surgeon might not know about? I was scheduled for total knee replacement and my surgeon MADE me take a blood allergy test from Orthopedic Analysis.. Test showed "reactive" to Bone Cement monomer so surgeon referred me to a colleague who could do a cement-less knee. Upon his review of my results however, he also stated I was "mildly-reactive" to Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zirconium and Iron. (Screenshot of levels attached). I'm also 'mildly reactive' to Cobalt Alloy and Titanium Alloy Particles.

My surgeon said, "I recommend you exhaust all other options, because I can do the cement-less knee, but if the metal allergy bothers you, there will be nothing I can do." Very hard to hear as I'm only 55 and active. In the meantime, I've gotten Genicular nerve burn in both knees which helped reduce pain level from 7 to a 4, but I'm trying to find out if there are any other surgical implant options that might work for someone with Bone cement and certain Metal allergies? Also, wondering will this even affect me as I can wear any type of cheap costume jewelry without ever having a reaction? If I have no issue with metal touching my skin, will it bother me if I have it in my joint for TKR?

Thanks in advance for ANY advice!

Ceramic, but I don’t know if it can be done cementless. There is also new material they can inject into the joint.

I had rash reaction after they took off ace wrap after TKR surgeon gave me a cream and took antihistamine went away

Thanks for the information!