Allergies To New Hips And Knees Replacements Surface Only After Surgery Is Done
Shortly after having a hip replaced in 2011, Paula Spurlock had horrible itching, really bad migraines and intense pain throughout her body. After many months and several trips to specialists, Spurlock was told it could be anything from food allergies to her medication. But no matter what she changed, the symptoms persisted.
After having a PET scan for a lung issue they found out that she was highly allergic to the metal in her new hip and to the surgical cement often used to hold joints in place.
This problem is sure to get worse in the coming years. By 2030, the demand for hip and knee replacements in the U.S. will skyrocket. More than 11,000 people a day are expected to have implant surgeries by then, an increase of 174 percent for hip replacements and nearly 700 percent for knees.