Many surgical procedures involve implanting artificial metallic components such as joint replacements (arthroplasties), plates, screws and internal “plumbing” that contain metals such as titanium, nickel, cobalt and other heavy metal alloys. Ever since mercury dental amalgam was thought to be a health hazard in the 1970’s, people have become very aware of possible side effects of foreign metallic implants. Although implants are now commonly used, there seems to be no convincing evidence that they cause local or systemic allergic or immunological problems. Some clinics offer blood tests and skin patch tests for possible heavy metal toxicities, but it must be pointed out that these tests are not scientifically validated and offer no proven diagnostic aid. They increase anxiety and lead to many people declining quality of life improving procedures such as a hip or knee repalcements for crippling arthritis, or worse still, the unnecessary removal of such prosthesis.
Reference: American Academy for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAAI) website: http://www.aaaai.org/
