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

Posted by okieshan1 @okieshan1, Sep 13, 2018

Does anyone have any suggestions on any medical replacement joints on the market my orthopedic surgeon might not know about? I was scheduled for total knee replacement and my surgeon MADE me take a blood allergy test from Orthopedic Analysis.. Test showed "reactive" to Bone Cement monomer so surgeon referred me to a colleague who could do a cement-less knee. Upon his review of my results however, he also stated I was "mildly-reactive" to Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zirconium and Iron. (Screenshot of levels attached). I'm also 'mildly reactive' to Cobalt Alloy and Titanium Alloy Particles.

My surgeon said, "I recommend you exhaust all other options, because I can do the cement-less knee, but if the metal allergy bothers you, there will be nothing I can do." Very hard to hear as I'm only 55 and active. In the meantime, I've gotten Genicular nerve burn in both knees which helped reduce pain level from 7 to a 4, but I'm trying to find out if there are any other surgical implant options that might work for someone with Bone cement and certain Metal allergies? Also, wondering will this even affect me as I can wear any type of cheap costume jewelry without ever having a reaction? If I have no issue with metal touching my skin, will it bother me if I have it in my joint for TKR?

Thanks in advance for ANY advice!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

tkrfuture | @tkrfuture | Apr 13 11:19am

In reply to @smclemore "I used Ortiguerra at Mayo clinic Jacksonville. He gave me a ceramic knee— no nickel." + (show)

I have been in search of someone with first hand experience with ceramic TKR. I am so happy to learn that a ceramic implant can be successful. I have read about Dr Ortiguerra in Jacksonville. After seeing your comment I am finally feeling hopeful about my TKR, I live in Florida.

Do you recall the "brand" of implant?
Did you have robotic surgery, what brand?
How was your recovery from surgery?
I thank you in advance for any information you can share!

blaira | @blaira | Apr 13 10:55pm

In reply to @mrsflutterby "I believe the poster was referring to the test by Orthopedic Analyses, LLC in Chicago. See..." + (show)

I broke my tibea plateau and had my hardware removed. I had it removed 11 months after my fracture because I got an infection in the bone snd the source was the hardware. I have MCAS and have random sensitivity reactions. Before the hardware surgery I did skin allergy testing for ortho hardware and bone cement ingredients. I found out I was allergic to bacitracin and neomycin. They replaced the antibiotic. The reason I had bone cement is because one corner had not healed all the way. I feel that at month 4 my bone has collapsed, there has definitely been a change. More pain and swelling. My Dr. says that it is not likely my bone collapsed. Something is different, it’s my leg and I feel the change.
How did your TKR go?

I am not sure how to navigate through this on my knee.

I also need to get a hip replacement in the next few months on the same leg. I want to be more educated on my options and better understand what questions around bone cement I should ask this surgeon.

Thank you

lonna66 | @lonna66 | 5 days ago

In reply to @tkrfuture "I have been in search of someone with first hand experience with ceramic TKR. I am..." + (show)

Do not know the brand it’s probably in my paperwork, but not robotic, Dr. Clarke at Arizona Mayo did it, and I have not had any problems with either knee!

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.