TKR implant allergy?

Good morning @4russcoll Thanks for bringing those eruptions after TKR to my attention. I am 3 months out and I had those bumpy things the first week or so after the actual surgery. They looked like bites and were a bit hard when I felt them. Then they became itchy and now they are gone. So, I alerted both my surgeon and my dermatologist. I don't think they have figured out this mystery yet. And the mystery was that this break-out allergy of some type was only on the surgery leg and only above the knee.

If you learn anything please let me know. I am giving up on finding an answer right now. Everything else is going super well.

May you have patience and ease.
Chris

Thank you for sharing Chris. Our symptoms seem similar but also different as my “eruptions” have been all over rather than on my surgery leg and timing was delayed by several months. Will let you know if I learn anything. Hopefully becoming few and far between but darn things are taking forever to heal. Maybe characteristic of 76 y/o skin?
Wishing you all the best in your rehab.

......and thank you @4russcoll for your good wishes to a person with 79, and almost 80-year-old skin.
Chris

Is there any new info in carbon fiber joint replacement in the knuckles of the hand? Pins and frozen joints are unacceptable in my opinion.

This is the best I can find. For the record, my Mom was a Very early knuckle replacement recipient, done in her late 60's and still functional when she died at almost 85. She was very careful not to abuse it.
My hand surgeon just told me she considers them the last resort, because even now the success rate is only 40 - 50%. The issue is that RA damaged bone often fails to accept the implant and grow in solidly.

Sue

Greetings! I am brand new to this website and just saw your post. I had my first TKR almost 2 years ago and will be getting the second one this coming Tuesday.

Addressing metal allergies to implants... I had a blood test prior to my first knee replacement because I suspected I might have a nickel allergy. The test did indeed confirm this and as a result, the surgeon used an implant that did not have nickel in it. If I had not had this test, I would’ve had a severe allergy to the implant that he was going to use. I really dodged a bullet.

If you want to totally rule out a possible metal allergy, I would recommend that you have the blood test. Ask your surgeon about it.
It is expensive but my military insurance surprisingly covered it. The company is Orthopedic Analysis and they send you a mail-in kit.
.. .

@phoenix12 I also did this blood test at Orthopedic Analysis. I had issues with metals in earrings and had to give them up. I didn't have allergies according to the test, but I opted anyway for spine fusion without hardware a few years ago. Last year, I broke my ankle and ended up with titanium hardware and I seemed to develop an issue 6 months later with it because I was having chronic hives and pain. I had the hardware removed this year and improved immediately, but this isn't always an option. The metals are alloys and are not pure, so it's possible to react to one of the mixtures in it, and sometimes that doesn't develop until a person has been exposed to it for a period of time. That is an important discussion to have with your surgeon. It's good that the test pointed you in a better direction and hopefully that will be good going into the future. There are some treatments with environmental medicine doctors to treat metal allergies from implants. This link is the practice that started this field of medicine. https://www.ehcd.com/

There is also a provider search at https://www.aaemonline.org/ and there may be some similar treatments available with these providers.

Good afternoon @phoenix12 . It looks like you and Jennifer went right to work on an important issue. Thanks for sharing your experience with the metal allergies issue.

Would you like to share your reasons for joining Connect? I note that you will be getting a second TKR on Tuesday and that is coming up quickly. If it were me I would be trying to have an excuse for staying out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving. Did you have a positive recovery for your first TKR? Are you changing the surgeon or the type of surgery, like Robotic? Have you been doing your pre-op exercises? It is so helpful when your muscles and other elements are ready to go to work and help with your recovery.

I had my second TKR 3 months ago. It was robotic and the recovery has been easy and rewarding.

I will watch for your post and am ready to help you find the information you need. Our mission at Connect is to improve the quality of life of every member.

What can I help you with today?

Chris

Hi Chris- I found this site when I was researching Mayo’s approach to PT following TKA. It looked interesting so I thought I’d join. Bonesmart helped me tremendously following my first implant. As far as learning about other people’s’ experiences, the more the merrier.

My surgeon at Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic in Birmingham, AL used the Smith & Nephew Genesis II implant, which does not have nickel in it. Also, because of the allergy he did not close with staples.

I had a positive outcome with my first implant, although I was very aggressive with the PT and believe I slowed my recovery because of it. I will not make that mistake again. This time around I will insist on a kinder, gentler approach, with a new therapist.

Thanks for reaching out, but I don’t really have any questions. Just ready to get this second one behind me!

Thank you for the reply. I wish you the best results from your upcoming TKR. A kinder, gentler approach would be helpful. I was fortunate to be able to have a wonderful PT. Her name is Cassie and I have to give her credit for understanding how 79-year-olds daily lives are different than a young athlete's. Don't forget to ice and elevate. I wll be right here if you would like to share your recovery with me. In fact, I will have hand surgery on Dec 9.

I am just a few keystrokes away. If you have questions or concerns, I will be here.
May you be safe, protected, and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris