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.