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Need TKR and had positive allergy testing / Bone Cement and Metals
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jun 7, 2023 | Replies (157)Comment receiving replies
Well had knee replacement and knee swells all the time and I have a constant rash on my knee. Wonder if its a allergy to implant if there is anything I can do to alleviate the issue?
Replies to "Well had knee replacement and knee swells all the time and I have a constant rash..."
Hello, I had my TKR done 8/2019. I had allergy testing 14 mos.after my surgery. I had pain and swelling and severe pain that caused me to see over 9 doctors. One doctor sent me for allergy testing for metals, glues and antibiotics. This was a back patch test. I tested positive for Neomycin sulfate and methyl methylacrolate, which is a bonding agent for the cement that is used to have your prosthetic bond with you knee and make the prosthetic steady and knee strong. I had swelling pain and the band of tightness after this surgery and unfortunately still get it. I did see one final doctor at Mt. Sinai in NYC. He had me take a very specific blood test (not covered by insurance) which checked what was going on inside my body. The first allergy test only tested for topical reactions. That’s why he had me take this other blood test. It showed I didn’t have an allergy to the cement, or any metal components. But the antibiotic used during surgery was Gentamycin, which is part of the Neomycin family. You might want to speak with Dr. Darwin Chen , he was the doctor who had me take the extensive blood test. It did give me peace of mind, knowing that I wasn’t having another knee replacement done, but was upset knowing that I was still having pain . It varies from day to day the severity, tightness, etc.
Dtr. Chen did not recommend doing a revision just because of pain.
Allergy testing at least will give you information you do not have at the moment. Good luck. @irish 283
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Welcome @mscan7, That would be a great question to ask your surgeon or care team. Here's some information on the question -- "Can knee replacement cause a rash? -- Hypersensitivity Reactions -- There are two reactions that seem to occur in patients who have metal hypersensitivity to a knee replacement implant. The first is a skin reaction called dermatitis. In this condition, a skin rash that looks like eczema can occur." --- Sensitivity to the Metal Parts in a Knee Replacement: https://www.verywellhealth.com/sensitivity-and-allergy-to-metals-in-knee-replacement-4082730
Have you discussed the swelling and rash on your knee with your surgeon or care team?