Metal Allergy Testing

[Harrison]

These topics started by members include details on metal allergy concerns, allergic reactions and a few include links to companies that perform allergy tests.

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f51/titanium-allergy-testing-how-important-m6-11858/

Metal allergies and adr?
http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f51/metal-allergies-adr-11401/

Metal-on-Metal: Letters to the Editor (Spine)
http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f50/metal-metal-letters-editor-spine-5863/

Allergies to disc implants?
http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f51/allergies-disc-implants-7915/

Lumbar L5/S1 - Surgery Failed, Advice Needed (carrief)
http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f47/lumbar-l5-s1-surgery-failed-advice-needed-carrief-8304/index4.html

Should I be Concerned with Wear Debris?
http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f49/should-i-concerned-wear-debris-6280/

[colorado babe]

I was going to discuss this with my surgeon this week. Doesn't insurance cover this?

[scoop302]

I asked Dr Clavel about this and he said that the plates are titanium and have a very low allergy rate. He did also say That different implants with different components would require a test.

[drewrad]

Yeah, I didn't react to titanium or BMP material but did to nickel, aluminum and chromium. It left me kinda sketchy headed about Activ L, although I probably would have been fine just the same.

Still,have weird mind games that I'm loaded with hardware now, not because I feel worse, just because....

Kind of a strange thing with me. I'm a purist, but my discs weren't pure any longer. They were black and gone, and bone on bone grinding action. Fun!

[scoop302]

I understand that feeling Drew. The thing about getting a fusion was the bone from a cadaver, that really freaked me out. I also remember the Dr. That was going to do it say that the plates and screws were titanium and not really a problem except in a few cases were the screws back out. He didn't tell me why, but I guess that is the rejection/allergy?

[drewrad]

Yeah, I remember talking to Clavel about screw backout and he said the plate has an anti-reverse cover that locks the screws every twist as they drive into the bone. Then he made this funny face while raising his hand pretending to drive in screws and twisting his arm, which meant he manually hand cranked them in. No impact driver. All elbow grease on the screws.