Hi everyone. I don't remember if I've posted this specific information before, but if so it is probably well buried

I want to pass on some information that could make or break the success of some patients' surgeries. For those new to the forum, I had three level surgery in Brazil a year ago, for both fusions in my L4/5/S1 and an ADR at C5/6. Just before booking surgery in an adjacent province after several years of trying to get treatment, I sent off blood samples for metal allergy testing at Rush University in Chicago; one of, if not the only lab in NA to do this work.

I did so because I knew I was allergic to nicke, because of itch bumps from jewelery. Someone here on the forum recommended that I do this before going ahead, as another patient in the UK had to had revision surgery because she was reacting to the metals in her spine. The lab test showed that I was severely sensitive to six common metals, and off the charts with nickel.

Since aluminum was one of the 'very bad' ones, I had to cancel the planned surgery and try to find some non-metal devices elsewhere. Unfortunately surgical titanium is not pure. It is an alloy that includes aluminum and vanadium. I couldn't even use surgical steel or titanium screws, but carbon fiber instead.

Apparently this lab originally responded to the need for testing after a number of hip & knee replacement patients were reacting to the devices. They have been around for quite awhile, but the ADRs are newer, so the lab is now finding new spine patients as clients.

For those with possible problems with metals, including rashes from jewelery, etc. I highly recommend getting this test first before possible surgery for either fusion or ADRs.

I only had fusion at the higher lumbar level because there wasn't a non-metal device available at the time.

The contact is www.orthopedicanalysis.com

Orthopedic Analysis Lab
2201 W. Campbell Park Dr., Suite 211,
Chicago, IL 60612
PH. 312-733-7121

I hope this helps. The statistics are small, but the outcome for those few can be nasty if the metals are implanted by mistake.