Is there a hospital or Dr in US who understand metal allergies in TKR?

Posted by moprea @moprea, May 9, 2023

I have posted before long story short I have had two TKR on my right knee 2 years ago. Revision 6 month later glue did not bond. 24/7 pain whole leg/ knee down to foot never get relief just some days worse than others if I have been on it for long periods. I have found I am allergic to nickel and chromium both in my implant. No Dr understand and will not take out. I need to find someone. I prayed Mayo would be my answer but still waiting to hear if they will see me. My husband asked if I had to loose my leg would I. Some days I do not know if I can go on. I was an active 55 year who loved to bike and walk miles and very optimistic person. I can not even think about biking I will walk but not far.
Any recommendations or help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

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@moprea

Jennifer I spoke with Dr Seymour in Dallas for over an hour. I am headed to Dallas next week to work with her and have more metal testing done. She is thinking she can help me. She also wants me to see Dr at John Hopkins on June 5th to 100% rule out any structural thing.
I thank you sooooooo much for your advice on her!! The first Dr I feel like really listening to my pain.
Bless you!

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@moprea You are very welcome! I know this information about the practice in Dallas because my doctor told me about it. I haven't been a patient there, but I want to know how they can help you and what your experience will be. I am lucky that I could have my metal implants and dental work removed and live metal free. I have many other allergies and all of it adds up. I suspect that may be part of what you do in treatment is to also address any other allergies you may have.

Good luck! I hope you get answers!

Jennifer

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@moprea

Jennifer I filled out all the paperwork last night it took about 3 hours but so very interesting all the questions .
I am supposed to talk with Sue the intake nurse later today.
Hoping we can do a tele health call first to discuss and then if all good I will go. Funny you say pierced earrings issue. I had when I was younger and I have always only worn 14 k since. no problems.
I so wish Dr's would test before surgeries
I honestly did not know to even ask about it.
I will keep you posted
Thank you!

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So happy for you that you were able to find a dr concerning the metal allergy. It is so important. I will always be grateful that my Boston dr sent me for metal testing. I had lots of trouble with pierced earrings growing up and have only worn 14k since. When I told that to him and his office, I was sent for the metal testing. His secretary told me at the time that he would not do a knee replacement unless that testing was done. All of my very best wishes to you! MaryAnn from MA

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@moprea

Jennifer I spoke with Dr Seymour in Dallas for over an hour. I am headed to Dallas next week to work with her and have more metal testing done. She is thinking she can help me. She also wants me to see Dr at John Hopkins on June 5th to 100% rule out any structural thing.
I thank you sooooooo much for your advice on her!! The first Dr I feel like really listening to my pain.
Bless you!

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Hi I saw you were going to Dallas for treatment. I also have issue with metal implant. Did you have any success with Dr. Seymour? Thanks.

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@jenniferhunter

@moprea You are very welcome! I know this information about the practice in Dallas because my doctor told me about it. I haven't been a patient there, but I want to know how they can help you and what your experience will be. I am lucky that I could have my metal implants and dental work removed and live metal free. I have many other allergies and all of it adds up. I suspect that may be part of what you do in treatment is to also address any other allergies you may have.

Good luck! I hope you get answers!

Jennifer

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What were your symptoms re. your allergy to metal? (I’m trying to figure out if it might be my problem as my symptoms aren’t all typical…)
Thank you.

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@iusdcm1

Hi I saw you were going to Dallas for treatment. I also have issue with metal implant. Did you have any success with Dr. Seymour? Thanks.

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I saw her at the end of May and I have started my shot therapy that is supposed to make my body to stop rejecting the 11 of 15 metals in my implant. Along with doing chelation therapy to help my body rid of all the metal in my body as well and other supplements. Dr Seymour is the only Dr I have seen that has given me hope. I am 56 and I had the implant when I was 54 thinking I would be good as I got older handing younger. With being allergic to the metals only one orthopedic surgeon would truly acknowledge it could be my problem.
Dr. Seymour skin tested me for all the elements in my implant and I reacted to 11 of the 15 as I say above. From what I understand there are only 2 Dr's in US who test for as many things as Dr Seymour does and she is one of the 2. I live in Indiana and my initial talk was via Zoom and that sealed the deal that my husband and I flew there the next week and I tested for week. Since I communicate with her and her team via a portal and just recently did another zoom call. Which is nice you do not have to fly back to Dallas all the time.
It can take 6-9 months for me to see results I can say my inflammation is down a bit from where it was. Good luck to you! I highly recommend her.

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@alexalee

What were your symptoms re. your allergy to metal? (I’m trying to figure out if it might be my problem as my symptoms aren’t all typical…)
Thank you.

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I have pain in my whole leg up my thighs and in my calves into my ankle and foot. I tell the Dr's I can feel my implant. I had a revision done 3 months after the first TKR as my glue came loose and my implant was moving around in my leg. The new one they put in is alot longer and the bottom portion is not glued in it toggles in my leg and hits my front bone and the bottom of my foot feels at times like I have blisters but I do not and it feels like needles going through. I have tightness in the knee and I still can not ride a bike.
I am sorry if you are having issues.

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Thank you for your response. I’m so sorry you’re having these problems & hope you improve & find a doctor who can help you. (My pain is not that severe, it is my 4 months of lightheadedness & extreme fatigue that concern me.)

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@moprea

I saw her at the end of May and I have started my shot therapy that is supposed to make my body to stop rejecting the 11 of 15 metals in my implant. Along with doing chelation therapy to help my body rid of all the metal in my body as well and other supplements. Dr Seymour is the only Dr I have seen that has given me hope. I am 56 and I had the implant when I was 54 thinking I would be good as I got older handing younger. With being allergic to the metals only one orthopedic surgeon would truly acknowledge it could be my problem.
Dr. Seymour skin tested me for all the elements in my implant and I reacted to 11 of the 15 as I say above. From what I understand there are only 2 Dr's in US who test for as many things as Dr Seymour does and she is one of the 2. I live in Indiana and my initial talk was via Zoom and that sealed the deal that my husband and I flew there the next week and I tested for week. Since I communicate with her and her team via a portal and just recently did another zoom call. Which is nice you do not have to fly back to Dallas all the time.
It can take 6-9 months for me to see results I can say my inflammation is down a bit from where it was. Good luck to you! I highly recommend her.

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Hi again. I hope you are seeing results from the treatment. Can I ask how often you get the shots and do you have to go back to Dallas to get them and the Chelation therapy? I am from Florida so just wondering about the logistics. Thanks so much.

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I have started my third month of shot therapy at this point I can not say I feel a difference but the dr tells me 6-9 months. I only went to Dallas once. I am able to email or zoom call with the Dr and her staff anytime. The shots I give myself and I do just fine. I was not a lover of needles but when I may mean you can be better amazing things happen. In terms of chelation the Dallas Dr helped me find Dr in my area and I am on my 7th dose right now as I type. My Dr in Illinois is great. I am sure there are some great Drs in Florida! Any questions I am more than happy to talk with you.

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@moprea

I have started my third month of shot therapy at this point I can not say I feel a difference but the dr tells me 6-9 months. I only went to Dallas once. I am able to email or zoom call with the Dr and her staff anytime. The shots I give myself and I do just fine. I was not a lover of needles but when I may mean you can be better amazing things happen. In terms of chelation the Dallas Dr helped me find Dr in my area and I am on my 7th dose right now as I type. My Dr in Illinois is great. I am sure there are some great Drs in Florida! Any questions I am more than happy to talk with you.

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Thanks I hope you feel something soon!

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