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

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?

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?

Your question interest me not because I have allergies but the point will surgery make it better…… my tkr did not make life better…..I thought with tkr I would be like most back on my feet in few weeks …..did not cross my mind that seven months later I be still struggling to get normalcy back to my life…. But here I am one of the negative story I read on my dr reviews that he gave up on few e weeks in….I am telling you this you say you are active if you are still doing a lot of what you enjoy doing …. Although I know you might have some pain but do anyway that is awesome….. I am 58 I could not do a lot of what I like to do so tkr for me was last result ….. they say my other knee needs to be done I will never do this again….everything I have learned about myself and my body …..my body builds scar tissue very quickly that has been constant issue ….,if I knew this before hand would I have done surgery not sure I think I just wanted pain to be gone all the time ….. but unfortunately that did not happen for me ….. what I am saying look at both sides because it can be worse than it is right now……. Just some food for thought good luck in whatever you do

@mscan7 This is a link to a practice in Texas that pioneered the field of Environmental Medicine. They do treat people with immune responses to surgical implant materials. https://www.ehcd.com/implant-services

If you wish to search for another provider in this field, there is a search at https://www.aaemonline.org/

While I have not had a knee replacement, I have had my health affected by materials from dentistry and titanium surgical plates after an ankle fracture. My health and allergic asthma improved after all of the various metals were removed from my body and during the time I had the titanium plates, I had chronic hives. I had the plates removed 6 months ago. I also have multiple allergies and food allergies. Some of that has improved too since the metals are gone. I realize that having a knee replacement is a different issue and it can't just be removed, but in my experience this does give validation to how foreign materials can cause an immune response. It seems that all these sensitivities and allergies just keep adding to the problem, and if you can reduce the immune response in some other areas, the body can handle everything a bit better.

Are you familiar with Environmental Medicine?

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

Thanks, it all sounds so familiar, had one doctor suggest another surgery but have had two and see nothing to gain.

Hi ! I need a full knee replacement but I am allergic to Nickel. I am looking for surgeons who have the skills to place Nickel free implants like Smith and Nephew Oxinium. I see from your post that you have seen 3 different surgeons. Is there any chance you can share their names with me? That would save me a lot of time doing drastic research (if only I knew where to start). Thank you so much ! Caroline

I used Ortiguerra at Mayo clinic Jacksonville. He gave me a ceramic knee— no nickel.

UPDATE FROM IRISH283
Saw Doctor#10…I never intended to see any other doctor. But my P.T mentioned how this doctor had helped another of his P.T. Patients. He seems to feel that my prosthetic is too loose laterally and when walking it
“Catches”. One other doctor from Charlotte, N.C. Said the same thing.! I will be going back in 5 weeks to talk about how he would surgically proceed. He also wants me to strengthen my quads. I do know that the procedure is not a total revision. I will keep you updated! Irish283

Can’t wait to read your next after visit post. I am full of metal, rods, plates, pins, stainless steel cable ties. You are awesome to share this. I have often thought my legs do not match in length after 3 femur breaks. 🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕💕