allergic reaction to bone cement

Posted by denver @denver, Apr 1, 2019

After 1 1/2 years of pain, swelling getting worse, I was tested for allergies. I will have to have another TKR custom without the bone cement. I am devastated at no one checking for allergies as I have numerous strange food allergies. I am told I may have to wait up to 10 mos for the revision as the FDA only approves a small number of these revisions per surgeons annually. This is because it's not a money maker for the hospitals, so it's limited. Another disappointment as now the hardware is coming loose from the bones and is unstable/more painful. Please pass on my bad experience so others don't suffer. Surgeons should be asking about allergies in this era of more and more people allergic to foods/environmental substances.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Erika | @erikas | Jan 28, 2021

In reply to @dlb211957 "has anyone had arthritis symptoms in other parts of body after having spinal fusion surgery" + (show)

@dlb211957 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

May I ask if you are having arthritis after having spinal fusion surgery?

irish283 | @irish283 | Feb 1, 2021

In reply to @ardis3 "Have seen him yet. Will keep you posted." + (show)

Hi, this is irish283....just wondering if you ever saw the doctor and if he gave you any answers to help you

lonna66 | @lonna66 | Feb 3, 2021

I’m having the same issue...I’ve had 2 on the same knee and the hardware is lose again....didn’t have the first 2 done at Mayo, so when I talked to them and told them my situation (allergies to metal, certain make up products etc) ...dr is going to try something completely different if this Covid nonsense ever ends and I can get surgery again...in the meantime people like you and I get to suffer!!

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Feb 3, 2021

Hello @irish283. I see you are looking to hear back from @ardis3 so wanted to remind you that if you'd like to flag a member in your post, you can use the @ sign plus their username like I did just now. That helps to notify that member.

Also, I love your avatar image of your plaid. I, too, am a lover of plaid as well as Irish.

chris92069 | @chris92069 | Jul 17, 2021

In reply to @denver "Hi, I'm so sorry you went through what I went through exactly. Including being blown off..." + (show)

Hello. I live in Denver and had TKR in March 2020. Have total extension and flexing but knee always ached, swelled, hot. Had 2 aspirations from knee- both brought out 30cc BLOOD. Have seen 4 docs- Denver and Vail- told normal and wait until 1 year. Waited- no relief. Just had allergy tests- yep allergic to methacrylates- bone glue. Told to take antihistamines. Any other suggestions?

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 17, 2021

In reply to @chris92069 "Hello. I live in Denver and had TKR in March 2020. Have total extension and flexing..." + (show)

How frustrating. At least you have the answer to "why?" Now you need help with "what's next? "

Do the antihistamines help? Have you talked to both the allergist and ortho about what to expect or watch for in the future?
Sue.

chris92069 | @chris92069 | Jul 17, 2021

Actually the antihistamines work surprisingly well. Swelling down which makes pain better. Yes I am working with an allergist and have appointment Monday with my orthopedist to have him take another knee aspiration to see if blood still there. Yes- nice to know some answers, but still more to get answered. Really do not want a revision!! If I can just keep taking antihistamines forever, that works for me. BTW- I have no other allergies that I know of.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 17, 2021

In reply to @chris92069 "Actually the antihistamines work surprisingly well. Swelling down which makes pain better. Yes I am working..." + (show)

My story is a little bit different. I received metal on metal hips in my 50's and they were never "right". 4 years later, I was told at my annual ortho check that I needed to be tested for heavy metals in my blood.

I had very high levels which were causing lots of problems including metallosis, tissue destruction, hair and weight loss etc. I had complete hip revisions- new balls an sockets, over a year of recovery. Not fun, but 10 years later all is well.

I have been taking antihistamines for over 50 years for many allergies and I'm still hanging in there.

If I were in your position, unless there was evidence of bone loss, tissue destruction or outright rejection, my choice would be to watch and wait. Revision surgery is not something that you take lightly.

Let me know what you decide?
Sue

irish283 | @irish283 | Jul 17, 2021

In reply to @denver "Hi, I'm so sorry you went through what I went through exactly. Including being blown off..." + (show)

Hello, this is Irish283, I spoke with the last Dr. who recommended I get allergy testing. Explained all my concerns. He said that he could do it, but my concern is that if he opens my knee up and there is a problem with my bone…the no press fit surgery! Then I am literally without a leg to stand on! Then what do I do? My P.T. Is concerned as well. There really isn’t a safe answer.