If you're having a knee replacement please read!
 

Hi everyone:

I hope I save someone from the pain I am going through and the pain that could come without a simple test. After two years of trying everything from Synvisc, Orthovisc and Stem Cell replacement I finally had a knee replacement July 1, 2014 from a "respected" surgeon.
I was never offered to take prior to my surgery (didn't know about it) a blood test or a patch test to see if I was allergic to the metals in my replacement. Well after 11 months, I have had continuous pain for months and only offered more pain pills. I had my blood sent off to Chicago for testing based on another surgeons request. I tested reactive and highly reactive for all metal except Cobalt.

I have to have a revision because I now have an infection from the metal implant. My existing doctor is a "jerk" and very well known. His staff is cold and uncaring. I only saw my surgeon twice. Once to authorize the surgery and then prior to going in to the surgery theater.
A major problem could be: A lot of doctors do not want to revise another surgeon's work. Also, a lot of surgeons that do replacements do NOT do revisions.

PLEASE get this test done. Even if you think you are not allergic get yourself tested. It will pay off in the end. Don't even think about it, just DO IT!

I feel bad that you are going through this. I hope everything works for you!!

Get a lawyer.

Tommy......first I have to find a good revision surgeon that will take me. Not all ortho surgeons do revisions and the ones that do, pick their cases carefully. I'd prefer to have ONE day pain free.......than $. I am in more pain now than before the surgery.

Wow! You would think a test like this would be automatic. Best wishes for a solution now that you know what the problem is.

It seems to me that people should also be aware of allergens from donor stem cells and chicken combs in the injected Synvisc, Orthovisc, and stem-cell replacement materials:

"What is Synvisc-One made from?

The injection contains a gel-like mixture made from a substance called hyaluronan (pronounced hy-al-u-ROE-nan) that comes from chicken combs." (Manufacturer link below)

And

"ORTHOVISC® is derived from bacterial cells, not rooster combs or other avian sources. This makes ORTHOVISC® the only non-avian sourced viscosupplementation injection with proven pain relief for up to six months, so patients with avian allergies (like allergies to poultry, feathers or eggs) do not need to worry about an allergic reaction.

ORTHOVISC® is the only injection made from ultra-pure hyaluronan, a naturally occurring lubricant found in healthy joints. In fact, ORTHOVISC® has the highest concentration of hyaluronan among all FDA-approved viscosupplements.
(Manufacturer link below)

And

Stem Cell Replacement Drugs:

"January 24, 2013
(CHICAGO) – Rush University Medical Center is conducting the nation’s first clinical study of an innovative stem cell drug, Cartistem, to repair knee cartilage damaged by aging, trauma or degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Cartistem is manufactured from mesenchymal stem cells derived from allogeneic (donor) umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord blood is a readily accessible source of high-quality stem cells, is associated with minimal health risks and carries relatively few ethical concerns.

The stem cells are mixed with hyaluronan, a natural polymer that plays a major role in wound healing and is a building block of joint cartilage..."

What Is Synvisc-One & How Does the Knee Injection Work?

Benefits of Orthovisc Injections - Orthovisc

https://www.rush.edu/news/press-rele...knee-cartilage

Call Steve Nguyen, MD. He is a nationally renown orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee replacements. He practices in the Orlando area. 407-355-3120. He uses a side entry surgical approach that greatly reduces knee replacement recovery time. I personally know 3 Villagers who've had Dr. Nguyen perform their knee replacements. Each of these three patients is absolutely delighted with the results of their surgeries and with the outstanding care they received.

Thank you!

Try the FL Orthopedic Institute (FOI) in Tampa. As a group they are superb, and most deal with referred patients who need redos or have had a failed surgical procedure.

I recently had both knees replaced by Dr. Nguyen. He gives everyone a metals patch test and recommends the more expensive metals blood test which I did take. Better to be sure you are not allergic to the metals used than to go through what you did. He uses a ceramic coated metal knee if you are allergic to metals. He does revisions as well. I can't believe most doctors do not test for metals allergy. Of all the friends and relatives I know who had total knee replacements none of them were given a metals allergy test.

In discussing my 2 knee replacements with my Primary Care Dr, he told me that a blood test for allergic reaction to metals is not the normal "standard of care" for a total knee or hip replacement. That is why most Doctors do not even bring it up as an option. Even Dr Nguyen (who did my surgeries) does not REQUIRE the blood test..but he does highly recommend it. I did have it done.

That being the case , and you should double check me on this if a metal test is normal standard of care, it would be difficult to prove a Dr was negligent if he did not require one prior to performing surgery unless of course there were other indicators in a patients medical history that were not uncovered.

She did finally call Dr. Nguyen and it was he who suspected an infection thus resulting in the blood test being done.

At this time, insurance will not pay for the blood test. That may be why doctors can't or won't absolutely require the test. Dr. Nguyen was my surgeon, and as you say highly recommended the test. My test was negative and my surgery was very successful.

My patch test from Dr. Nguyen was negative but I do react to costume jewelry. On his staff's recommendation I went ahead and did the blood test that was sent to Chicago overnight. It was $285 and not covered by insurance. Thank God I did. I was off the chart for nickel and lower reactions on other metals. My 2 knee replacements scheduled with Dr. Nguyen will be ceramic.

That is $285 well spent!

But many people will NOT pay anything out of their own pocket. They demand first-dollar coverage, including for when they have shot themselves in the foot by being cheap. They're saving pennies to spend thousands, plus endure long-term agony.