Need TKR and had positive allergy testing / Bone Cement and Metals

When it dries out I'll send off some pics of what my landscaping hobbies. Everything a soggy mess here with the entire weekly forecast showing chances of rain. No money spent on landscaping water bills this year.

@gardenjunkie Oh good Id love to see your landscaping I had a big garden ,canned all my son was allergic to dyes,processed foods so we put in garden it's fun to plan ,buy and do right

Hello, Thanks to you & others for the very kind comments! BTW, I was surprised to hear I am allergic to the cement since I am allergic to nothing else. Very frustrating. re: My ortho surgeons - TKR #1 & #2 was same surgeon, when #2 failed he referred me to a Surgeon in the same practice who specialized in Press-Fit joints, when that one failed, he referred me to a surgeon at a different practice who specializes in "Problem Knee Joints". No one has told me why the prev joints failed. I was told the 1st 2 had fractured because of my allergy. I'm not sure why the joint would fracture if the cement broke down. #4 will likely fail soon, it's been 3 years which is the longest any have lasted. Still not ready to lose my leg and will talk to another ortho surgeon for his opinion. The fun never ends. I wish you well when getting help for your knee - don't be afraid to get another opinion, but in the end there are no guarantees. BTW, I keep getting told there is only one cement available (or containing the same ingredient that I am allergic to). Take care -

Wow! That seems like a strange attitude. When I was tested, I was referred to a allergy doc. He put a couple of dozen "spots" on my back which were 'read' a week-10 days later. I know things change, but I wonder if blood work will provide a definitive answer to whether you are allergic to the prothesis and cement, etc used during a TKR? It's been a while and my memory is not great but they may have also drawn blood (probably did). My problem is having such limited options! The part of the cement I am allergic to seems to be a part of all approved glues. I guess wrapping it with duct tape is out? 😉
re Your insurance - at the time I had BC/BS and Medicare - I didn't even have to pay a co-pay!
Good luck and stay strong!

I will learn more when I see the ortho next month because as much as I have read about the validity of blood versus patch testing for allergies I still don't understand why my results are so different between these tests. The blood test ordered for knee replacements I had was specific to all ingredients used, like the cement, titanium, aluminum, nickle and other. It seems you were patch tested for your allergies, did you also have a blood test?
My allergist has always billed Medicare for my patch testing and since I have have the Plan F supplement I pay nothing. Simple for me. It does seem odd that this huge orthopedic hospital doesn't provide or bill directly for blood testing. I can't help but be paranoid and think they don't want to make patients aware of allergic reactions to implants.
I met a young woman (45) who is going though her 5th TKR because of rejection or failure. I couldn't face a future like that.

I had my knee replaced for the first time almost 5 years ago. Since then I have had 4 revision surgeries. Within a year of every surgery my implant becomes loose and they have to start all over again. After the first revision surgery it was discovered that I am extremely allergic to the main ingredient in bone cement (Polymethyl methacrylate). It is constantly swollen and painful EVERY single day! In five years I have not had 1 pain free day! My last post-op appointment with my surgeon was just a couple of weeks ago and he told me "you might just have to live with it". He said there was nothing more that can be done and pretty much patted me on the back and said "good luck!". Everything that I've read says that you can NOT go from a cemented knee to none cemented knee. I know that it has been done before with success, I just can't seem to find that surgeon who has performed this procedure. If anyone knows or has any info about this I would love to hear about it!

Hello @geraldg, and welcome to Connect. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Need TKR and had positive allergy testing / Bone Cement and Metals." I did this so you could meet a few of the other members already discussing allergy-related issues with TKR's. Members like @okieshan1 and @doodles418, talked about their experiences with metal or cement ingredient allergies in this discussion and may have some insight on your situation as well.

I am simply sick inside hearing your story. It could have been me. Will blog later when I have time, but have a question. If they remove the implant can they reattach the leg bones, of course without a joint it would be shorter and not bend, but then could you at least stand on it?

I have bone cement allergy, found after knee implant. I have had terrible problems with it not bending and now auto immune. I also have trouble taking medicines which they say the cement can be a binder. I am told only cement revisions can be done. Did You have any medicine problems with original implant? Where did you find orthopedist who would do cementless revisions? Thank you!

I have same problem with cement allergy but mine is 10 years of pain. No one will do cementless revision they tell me and the worry of osteoporosis. Did you find a doctor yet who could help you? I now have auto immune in legs and terrible problem taking medicines. They say the cement can be used as a binder. The meds make my knee bend less and cause awful pain around and in implant. No one seems to understand. I’m so discouraged and scared as these meds are life saving ones. Thank you for any help you can share.