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Am I having a systemic or allergic reaction to my TKR?

Posted by kar1000 @kar1000, Jan 5 10:41am

Has anyone ever experienced the below symptoms post TKR?

* SWELLING OF THE EYES AND MOUTH (1ST WEEK POST OP)
* HIVES (intermittent) FOR FIRST SIX WEEKS POST OP
* VISION CHANGES (BEGAN 1ST WEEK POST OP AND HAVE CONTINUED FOR 10 MOS. POST OP
* CONGESTION ISSUES SINCE TKR, CONSTANT PHLEGM
* INSOMNIA (intermittent) POST OP
* CONSTANT RINGING IN THE EARS POST OP
* MENTAL CHANGES POST OP
* CONSTANT CHAPPED LIPS POST OP
* STATICKY HAIR POST OP
* WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM POST OP
* SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT POST OP
* CANDIDIA OF THE ESOPHOGUS POST OP
* DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY POST OP
My hunch is that I am allergic or sensitive to one of the metals or cements in my TKR. I began having these symptoms immediately after my TKR and have continued to have them for 10 months post op. I am considering Total knee revision with a hypo-allergenic knee. I've been told that my allergy or sensitivity is 1 in a million. I'm just hoping to reach someone else out there that may have had or has the same symptoms.

My current knee implant (Arthrex) has Colbalt, Nickel and Chromium (and more) in it and cement was used. I was tested post-surgery with metal patch testing, blood testing and blood poisoning (from metals) testing, all tests showed no allergy/sensitivity. I have had several tests looking for a potential correlation to my implanted knee and above symptoms with no success. I am not sure if my symptoms are connected to my TKR or not. I would like to validate a connection between my symptoms and my implanted knee before I pursue revision surgery. If there is no connection, I will not seek to have my implanted knee replaced.

Thank you in advance with any similarities that you may have had with your TKR, or if you are a physician who has had a patient in my situation.

Thank you and God Bless.
Kathy

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leelee31 | @leelee31 | Jan 13 8:42am

I get repeated stress fractures due to loosening of implant with 10 cm stem in femur and in tibia.
I will be getting it replaced ( 4th time) in February. Anyone either this experience?

REPLY
kar1000 | @kar1000 | Jan 13 8:49am
In reply to @leelee31 "There is a blood test that can test for allergies to those metals. I had it..." + (show)
@leelee31

There is a blood test that can test for allergies to those metals. I had it done because I’ve had 3 revisions and they kept getting loose. I’m not allergic and am scheduled for a 4th revision with different surgeon

Jump to this post

Why are you having so many revisions?

REPLY
kar1000 | @kar1000 | Jan 13 11:28am
In reply to @katz5151 "I have had some of your conditions. I was diagnosed with a nickel allergy. It’s in..." + (show)
@katz5151

I have had some of your conditions. I was diagnosed with a nickel allergy. It’s in most implants and the cement used to secure it. I was tested by a lab in Chicago. They sent the kit to do it. This only happened because I took the lead on this. My doctor told me I couldn’t be allergic. Skin test doesn’t work on everyone, you need a blood test. I went through 5 TKRs before I found out. Only 6 percent of males are allergic to some form of surgical metal in the US. Still living with the fact that my body has been poisoned with nickel for 3 years. It seems you are invested in your health, stay that way, doctors are not always right. They mean well, but don’t know everything. Trust what your body is telling you. Hope all goes well.

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What type of knee did you end up with that was nickel free for you!

They are putting a Smith and Nephew in at my revision surgery!

Did you experience ringing in the ears during the three years you had nickel in your knee?

Thank you!

REPLY
2 replies
kar1000 | @kar1000 | Jan 13 11:46am
In reply to @kar1000 "What type of knee did you end up with that was nickel free for you! They..." + (show)
@kar1000

What type of knee did you end up with that was nickel free for you!

They are putting a Smith and Nephew in at my revision surgery!

Did you experience ringing in the ears during the three years you had nickel in your knee?

Thank you!

Jump to this post

Would you be willing to call me to chat?

Tks!
Kathy

REPLY
leeanns | @leeanns | Jan 25 9:28am
In reply to @katz5151 "I have had some of your conditions. I was diagnosed with a nickel allergy. It’s in..." + (show)
@katz5151

I have had some of your conditions. I was diagnosed with a nickel allergy. It’s in most implants and the cement used to secure it. I was tested by a lab in Chicago. They sent the kit to do it. This only happened because I took the lead on this. My doctor told me I couldn’t be allergic. Skin test doesn’t work on everyone, you need a blood test. I went through 5 TKRs before I found out. Only 6 percent of males are allergic to some form of surgical metal in the US. Still living with the fact that my body has been poisoned with nickel for 3 years. It seems you are invested in your health, stay that way, doctors are not always right. They mean well, but don’t know everything. Trust what your body is telling you. Hope all goes well.

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Hello - I have been having soft tissue issues in my legs (muscle tightness and pulling as well as some pain) after having both knees replaced 2 yrs ago. If you could please send me or post here the contact info for the lab in Chicago that did the allergy blood test I would really appreciate it. Ruling out an allergic reaction to either the implant or the cement is another stone I have yet to overturn in my search for a probable cause. Thanks so much!

REPLY
katz5151 | @katz5151 | Jan 25 7:14pm
In reply to @kar1000 "What type of knee did you end up with that was nickel free for you! They..." + (show)
@kar1000

What type of knee did you end up with that was nickel free for you!

They are putting a Smith and Nephew in at my revision surgery!

Did you experience ringing in the ears during the three years you had nickel in your knee?

Thank you!

Jump to this post

I wound up with a titanium knee covered in ceramic. Very expensive, glad the military paid. No ringing in my ears but I had little grandma’s on my legs and arms

REPLY
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