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Revision surgery?

Posted , 4 users are following.

john_04330
john_04330

Had a rash since surgery in November. Have found a cream that treats the rash,but if I stop the cream the rash comes back. Im told if the rash is due to an allergic reaction to the metal I will have to have the knee replaced again. Has anyone had this happen? If so how did the surgery go and how is it now? Thanks in anticipation.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • susan89127
    susan89127 john_04330

    Posted

    Hi John, I suffered with a rash after my op. and discovered it was the

    Tramadol I was taking, so obviously I can't take that again. I was wondering

    if you are still on any strong pain meds that could be causing it.

    • john_04330
      john_04330 susan89127

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply Susan,but no. Im not on any pain meds now. The doctor took me off tramadol months ago,and I take nothing except the occasional naproxen. 

      Thanks

      John.

  • sueisobel
    sueisobel john_04330

    Posted

    Does the allergy cover the whole of your knee; back and front, from above your knee down to below the knee

     

    • john_04330
      john_04330 sueisobel

      Posted

      Hi Sue

      It starts on the right hand side of my right knee,then goes on the right hand side of my leg for about the area of my hand. It looks like eczema,as the skin specialist said. It responds to cream but as soon as i stop using it the rash returns.

    • sueisobel
      sueisobel john_04330

      Posted

      If it was an allergy to the metal, the whole of your knee would be affected and then stop suddenly at the joins. It could be the cement used to bond the joins, have yo been sent to a skin specialist, they could then run a full alergy test on your body.  Seems a better route than to say "it could be your replacement, we will whip it out and start over".

      It is not uncommon to have the rash,what causes it???? I do know it goes after a while, the trick is to treat the rash as you would hives; to ease the itching and dryness.  It could be that the area is just stressed as it is healing. I do know that it goes as suddenly as it appears. A lot of things happen to our bodies when we have this operation. Nothing is supposed to happen; but it does. If you are worried, go and be allergy tested.  Otherwise a good anti-itch cream, or calamine lotion. If the skin is overly dry, try something pure like almond oil, coconut oil (healing properties) or vitamin E oil ( the thicker the better)

      One last thought. Could it just be itching and then when you rub/scratch the skin goes into overdrive?

    • john_04330
      john_04330 sueisobel

      Posted

      Hi Sue

      Seen a skin specialist. He says although allergic reaction to metal is rare,my eczema rash is suggestive of it. So I made an appointment today to see a surgeon with a good reputation who also does revision. Im not jumping into this course of action,but I want to know what is the worst thing that can happen if it IS a reaction to the metal. If its just a rash I can put up with it. The cream the skin guy prescribed controols it. I realise I may have to go back to the skin specialist for testing but I hope not. Im certainly not going down the road of revision unless necessary. I realise a lot of different things can happen with this op,a lot of trauma etc but thanks for your advice. I see the surgeion next wednesday so will keep you posted. Thanks

      John.

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