can you get metal poisoning from a knee replacement? . i had a knee replacement in 2005. i then had extensive blood work that showed a nickel allergy that was off the chart. my surgeon then did my second knee replacement without using nickel in the joint. i have never had relief in either knee. now i have all the symptoms of metal poisoning. could that be what is wrong with me? if that could be it what would the treatment be? thanks
knee and hip replacements consisting of metal-on-metal may cause a condition called metallosis. this side effect happens when rubbing of the metal implanted surfaces results in chromium and cobalt particles accumulating in the blood stream to toxic levels (some cobalt & chromium is normally found in the blood stream to carry-out routine cellular actions). the recommended treatment for metallosis is a complete surgical revision (removing the implant and installing a new implant) of the knee or hip.