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 4, 2021

In reply to @riz "I am also allergic to bone cement. Was resolution have you decided on." + (show)

@riz Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. You mentioned you were allergic to bone cement. May I ask what brings you to Connect? Did you had a recent surgery?

Erika | @erikas | Jan 4, 2021

@martydav You are wondering if you have an allergy to the bone cement used in your shoulder surgery. You are wanting to connect with members to find out where and how you can be tested for the possible allergy.

You will notice I moved your question to a previous discussion related to bone cement allergy. I did this to keep this conversation in a central location. Members like @riz @irish283 @jnoronha have discussed this conversation in the past.

Below I have linked a discussion related to burning after joint replacement.
- Burning after total knee replacement https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-after-total-knee-replacement/

Members like @ruthannejoan @glokart1957 @sprinrosa64@artscaping @melboy68 have experience with this discussion and may be able to answer your question.

May I ask if you have considered if the burning could be nerve pain and what your provider has said regarding the burning and a cement allergy?

martydav | @martydav | Jan 5, 2021

In reply to @erikas "@martydav You are wondering if you have an allergy to the bone cement used in your..." + (show)

I will have a revision surgery on Jan 12th. I did ask and really got a non informative answer, like
“maybe”. I have a broken prosthesis in my shoulder only after 8 weeks. Not something I did. First surgeon said , “he may not have got it seated properly”. I’m confused and frustrated.
Have a new surgeon and now the hardware is extremely loose. Lot’s of burning , stabbing pain. Had to wait two months for new surgery.

irish283 | @irish283 | Jan 13, 2021

In reply to @jnoronha "Hello: I wanted to express my disappointment too. My left TKR was done on October 30,..." + (show)

I was tested for metas, glues, and antibiotics. I have tested positive for neomycin sulfate, an antiobiotic, and methyl methacrylate, which is the main component in the glue it works as the bonding agent.ntjis is also used in the dental fillings that are more up to date than the old silver ones. I am writing this as I had surgery yesterday for repair if having a significant tear in my rt. Rotator cuff, which I did by pushing my self up out of sofas, chairs and any other types I’d seats that were very low! And I’m still looking at a revision! But they don’t make a cement without the methacrylate ingredient! So don’t know what I’m going to do about my knee. ANYONE WHO HAS A SUGGESTION IM OPEN TO HEARING THEIR EXPERIENCE.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 13, 2021

In reply to @irish283 "I was tested for metas, glues, and antibiotics. I have tested positive for neomycin sulfate, an..." + (show)

@irish283, There is another older discussion on the same topic that you may find helpful also.

Need TKR and had positive allergy testing / Bone Cement and Metals: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-tkr-and-had-positive-allergy-testing-bone-cement-and-metals/

martydav | @martydav | Jan 13, 2021

In reply to @irish283 "I was tested for metas, glues, and antibiotics. I have tested positive for neomycin sulfate, an..." + (show)

I don’t know where you but “The Carrell Clinic”
In Dallas Texas is phenomenal and Dr. Worrel
does not use cement. I highly recommend.

denver | @denver | Jan 13, 2021

In reply to @martydav "I will have a revision surgery on Jan 12th. I did ask and really got a..." + (show)

Did you find somewhere to get tested for allergies? This happened with my knee replacement. I had to have the hardware removed and revised with a " press fit" as I am newly allergic to bone cement. Please get tested.
Let us know what you find out.

martydav | @martydav | Jan 16, 2021

In reply to @denver "Did you find somewhere to get tested for allergies? This happened with my knee replacement. I..." + (show)

I had a new surgery done Jan 12. The results have been phenomenal. My dr. Assured me that I was not allergic to cement. He is a co/owner of the Carrel clinic. I had so many good testimonials about him that I decided to trust him. My results so far are amazing. The hideous suicidal pain is gone and I have real hope for recovery of the use of my arm now. I would recommend this clinic to anyone. The best of care ever.

dlb211957 | @dlb211957 | Jan 24, 2021

has anyone had arthritis symptoms in other parts of body after having spinal fusion surgery

irish283 | @irish283 | Jan 25, 2021

In reply to @martydav "I don’t know where you but “The Carrell Clinic” In Dallas Texas is phenomenal and Dr...." + (show)

Martydav@martydav.
Thank you for your info and happy to hear you had a good experience. Unfortunately I’m located in the northeast, NY. area. I have heard about the press fit through this site.
I am currently re recuperating from rotator cuff surgery two weeks post op. I am leary about doing cementless revision, because if it doesn’t take, I am literally without a leg to stand on!

Good luck with your recuperation!