Allergic Reaction to metal plate put in leg.

I got this from an AI search:

Yes, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to metal that was implanted in your leg even 10 years ago. Such reactions are often delayed hypersensitivity or metal hypersensitivity reactions caused by the body’s immune response to metals such as nickel, cobalt, or chromium commonly used in orthopedic implants. Symptoms can include localized pain, swelling, redness, warmth, itching or burning, implant loosening, and sometimes more widespread inflammation. These allergic reactions can occur months or even years after the implant was placed due to immune memory and ongoing exposure to metal debris or ions released from the implant. Because the symptoms often resemble infection or implant failure, diagnosis can be challenging and usually requires exclusion of other causes. If you experience these symptoms, consulting your physician for evaluation is important.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih +2]

Common Symptoms of Metal Implant Allergy
• Persistent or new onset pain and swelling around the implant site
• Redness, warmth, itching, or burning sensations
• Loosening or instability of the implant
• Rash or skin changes near the implant area (if visible)
• Joint effusions (fluid buildup) or inflammation
• Symptoms can arise many years after implantation due to delayed hypersensitivity reaction.[tmj +2]

Mechanism and Timing
• Metal hypersensitivity is a delayed-type, cell-mediated immune response.
• It requires initial sensitization and can develop after long-term exposure to metal ions released from implant corrosion or wear.
• Symptoms typically reflect an inflammatory reaction that can last or recur over time.[emedicine.medscape +1]
If you suspect an allergic reaction to your implant, a thorough clinical evaluation including history, physical exam, and possibly allergy testing or imaging studies will be needed to distinguish this from infection or mechanical failure. Early diagnosis and management can help prevent implant complications.[sciencedirect +1]

@kjlang64 I had a reaction to my titanium plates after a bad ankle fracture of both the tibia and fibula. I had the same symptoms you describe, skin discoloration, pain, throbbing like I got kicked in the ankle. My asthma worsened and I had hives that would come up and spread anywhere on my body. This happened 6 months after the fixation of the fracture. I had the plates removed a year and a half after the injury and these symptoms resolved. I do have to stretch the scar tissue periodically, but otherwise, I don’t have pain. My muscles will tighten and I stretch it all to relieve any discomfort. The recovery from plate removal is easy compared to recovery from the injury. My doctor could not accept this causal relationship as there wasn’t proof, but removing the hardware solved it all. There is a lab in Chicago called Orthopedic Analysis that does testing for implant material sensitivity, but I think you already know the answer.

25 days ago I had a knee replacement. I am not allergic to metals (three years ago I had a titanium hip replacement) but for other reasons my surgeon uses the Smith & Nephew package which implants are made of oxidized zirconium and are allegedly biocompatible.

If one place has tests for these possible reactions, that's an indication there was a need to provide the service.

Sorry you've both suffered so much.

Thanks for sharing this valuable info.

All the best.

Get a blood test for the components of your implant. I qualify for knee replacements for both knees and decided to start with one knee. I canceled this knee replacement surgery after receiving my blood test report from the lab Jennifer mentioned, Orthopedic Analysis in Chicago. This is a $600 test which Medicare will not pay for and my doctor never recommended but I insisted on because of other allergy's I have. A blood draw was taken and sent to the lab and came back with 5 metal allergy's, but none to the bone cement. I did not test positive to titanium, but the ortho told me metal implants erode over time exposing other metals and there is no such thing as pure 100% titanium. So over time my allergic metals would be exposed . The ceramic coated implants also erode exposing the metal core overtime. I figured it was better to live with the devil I knew than the devil I didn't know.
Because of the reaction you are dealing with now Medicare might even pay for this testing.

@gardeningjunkie Knowledge is power. I also sent my blood for testing to Orthopedic Analysis, and I was surprised it came back without finding anything. I had problems with metals in pierced earrings for years and had to stop wearing them. I did develop problems 6 months after getting titanium plates on my ankle after the fracture. Titanium isn't pure either. They are alloys with other metals added to the mix. As I did, you can develop an immune response after exposure to something, but it isn't clear how soon it can happen. Having a negative test only means you don't react at this time in your life. When I needed spine surgery, I trusted my own information, so I had a single level fusion done with no hardware. I stayed in a neck brace until it fused. My ankle fracture happened after that.