SPINAL IMPLANT ALLERGIC REACTION OR REJECTION?

There is a valid explanation as to why the human body rejects itself and does not accept a metal implant. The body has its own way of making an adjustment and is building up its own defense barrier. Immune cells do have their own specialized circulatory system known as the lymphatic system.  Lymphatic fluid bathes the body as it transports white blood cells to areas of signs of infection, injury or abnormal cell growth. These immune system cells are located in the lymph nodes throughout the body, known as the thymus, bone marrow and in the spleen which manufactures leukocytes or (white blood cells) in response to any foreign invaders when they are detected in the body.

The purpose of the immune system is a "force field" which protects the body against foreign invaders such as pathogens, fungi, bacteria and other viruses. The immune system fights on our behalf day in and day out.  Antigens are anything that is foreign or "non-self" which will turn or attack the body when a foreign substance is being detected in our immune system.  Antigens do have specific proteins and cell surface molecules become tags that the immune system cells recognize and attack.  When a Y shape protein is released from the plasma cells into the blood, they are known as antibodies. It is the antibodies job is to help kill or destroy the foreign substances by signaling the body to activate these natural killer cells both of which kill the antigenic invader. Natural killer cells destroy antigens by releasing cytokines proteins directly into these unhealthy cells such as cancer or other autoimmune diseases.

Allergies nevertheless occur when the immune system overreacts to any suspect environmental allergen.  When there is recognition of an antigen, the allergic response can occur when the body's immune response goes into overdrive when it tries to rid itself of a foreign invader  These antibodies continue to exist in a person's body, so that if the same antigen is presented to the immune system again, these antibodies that are already present are ready to do their job. immunization thus introduces the body to an antigen in a way that doesn't make someone sick, but does allow the body to produce antibodies which will then protect the person from future attack by the germ or substance which produces this particular disease.

In the case of a metal implant exposure in a human being,  he or she does not recognize the foreign body as part of oneself. During this time of exposure, these antibodies are building up their defense system, and continue to mount an attack on the human body with a systemic reaction like a vengeance that is serious enough to cause permanent illness, infection and chronic pain. Immune response to implants can include hypersensitivity not limited to pacemakers, dental implants, and other types hip and knee orthopedic hardware. 

You can see a below a documentated time frame of photographs that I had taken over a year of my dermatological flare-ups of my body and extremities occurring after my operation. Soon after my implantation and lumbar spinal fusion, I began to notice these annoying symptoms of unusual neurological symptoms such as dizzy spells, insomnia, burning sensations of  body pain, outbreak of skin irritations, discoloration, rashes, with increased bone tenderness and constant fatigue throughout my entire body.

 

In May 2011, I consulted a rheumatologist for further evaluation and treatment of this unusual medical problem. What facts and information that I received stunned me altogether. Not only was

the doctor not aware on what was really going on inside of me, she was under the impression that all I had fibromyalgia.  I had sought another opinion with a dermatologist who dismissed my medical concerns altogether.  A UCLA dermatologist who I also consulted never thought of ordering additional tests such performing metal patch testing or a muscle biopsy to check for myositis. For nineteen months, I had to endure constant agony, bizzare and debilitating symptoms which I knew deep down inside was killing me and there were no physicians whom I  felt I could turn to provide me with a correct diagnosis or a chance for recovery.  

My blood markers were analyzed for other immune diseases such as lupus, Sjogrens syndrome, and (RA) rheumatoid arthritis. My ANA titer had skyrocketed.  Deep down inside, I instinctively knew that something was seriously wrong with me. My medical symptoms worsened over time which profoundly had affected my level of functioning in every area of my daily living.  I was in excruciating pain and in terrible emotional distress. I felt exhausted, fatigued and desperate to get answers from my orthopedic surgeon and other numerous medical specialists whom I consulted for further diagnosis and treatment.  I was met with their lack of concern or their indifference to save my life.

 

Where do you begin if you have a similar dilemma in your medical problems? If you suspect a pedicle screw allergy, you should document them in a patient daily diary or log if you do experience any of these symptoms such as the inability to sleep, having a strange metallic taste in your mouth, any signs of a neurological loss of balance, sudden hearing loss, migraines or unexplained pain, systemic weakness (feels like all of your energy is drained from your body), depth perception off (spilling drinks or dropping things), increased back or neck pain with tenderness, or worsening depression for no obvious reason. Look out for various and obvious changes in skin color, pigmentation, and intermittent flare-ups of dermatological reactions.

 

I was told by numerous doctors that they couldn't find anything wrong with me. However, I felt there was correlation to the metal implant in my body and other chemical changes that were going on inside my body which were causing these types of these immunity and dermatological problems. The only way to know for sure to find out if the metal implant is the source of the irritant is to have the implant entirely removed to eliminate it as a possibility. I had spent hours researching the internet thoroughly for answers to my condition however, I came to conclusion  that there no concise agreement amongst medical professionals and more conflicting information. It is rare but at least ten to fifteen percent of the human population can react very badly to metal implants. 

 

Device implant failure has been reported in surgical orthopedic and neurological or cardiac cases stating that metal debris is released by the grinding of artificial metal hips, which causes local tissue death around the joint and may increase metal cobalt and chromium ions in the bloodstream. Various studies have reported there were small metal particles that were flaking off and getting into the human body's local surrounding tissues, thus causing systemic pain and increased inflammation in other joints and the spinous processes.

 

 There is a well known website known as the Melisa Medica Foundation which is a laboratory with specific testing procedures that specifically determines a patient's susceptibility to specific types of metal ions. Their testing panels methodically analyzes the body's chemistry lymphocyte hypersensitivity to titanium and other alloy metals. Their laboratory testing method can detect accurately the allergy antibody blood markers which are looking at metal panels better than dermal skin patch testing which is currently available at a dermatologist's office.  Note: There can also be false positive results in any laboratory testing which may not show any signs of a metal reaction.

 

There are different grades of implant metal alloys commonly used in surgical procedures both in the medical and dental industry. To be safe, and not sorry later, anyone under a doctor's care should insist on allergy testing prior to any proposed spine surgery. The most common metal compositions that are used in the manufacture of pedicle screws, hooks and rods are stainless steel, titanium, nickel, cobalt, aluminum and vanadium.  However, other types of materials found in implants will vary from metal to metal implant in the industry. These alloys may react in at least 4% of the population as I stated which may cause havoc with the body's immune system therefore, cause it to eventually break down and destroy itself. 

 

A person with an unknown hypersensitivity will surely have an increased response to an implanted surgical device. If not removed within a short period of time, the human body's antigen immune response could lead to serious autoimmune disorders as well as neurological disturbances such as fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities, sinusitis, neuralgia, loosening of the implant or a bone infection. These individuals with compromised immune systems with orthopedic screws implanted  in their cervical or lumbar spine have experienced dizzy spells, brain fog, or unusual chemical metallic tastes, myositis and bone tenderness.

 

Every individual is different.  Therefore, you need to be vigilant in monitoring these symptoms. You should be your own advocate to make sure that your physician is aware of your past medical history of allergies to eliminate its cause and to avoid any future exposure to a metal implant prior a spinal fusion.  You may refer to the above links which I have posted on this blog to find out what specific testing procedures which are available as well as further discussions on these specific causes.