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TKR with an allergy to formaldehyde

I am unsure how an allergy to formaldehyde would be connected to a synvisc injection or to surgery. Does synvisc have formaldehyde as a component?

I have never heard of formaldehyde being used in surgery in any way that it would have any contact with the patient.

Have you discussed this with your surgeon and asked him if any of your other allergies could have been the culprit? And what to do to avoid this in future?

Take care, Annette

They use formaldehyde to bind molecules in the Synvisc to make it last longer. Formaldehyde is a preservative that is used in so many products you would never guess. Soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, clothing is coated, detergents, cleaning products, glues, adhesives, paper, ink, prescription meds, artificial sweetners, the air we breath and the list goes on. Even to have an IV it needs to be in a glass bottle due to the plastic bag leeching.

I spent 8 months covered with horrible exczema, my hands were the worst nothing but open sores, before they could figure out what was wrong. I had new carpet installed in my house which started the whole thing. I have had to adjust my entire lifestyle, cannot even wear makeup anymore.

I have switched to a new surgeon at a teaching hospital in hopes they will be better able to accommodate my allergy. I am hoping to find someone who has experienced this and can give me some guidance. My allergy is rare and I attribute this to the fact we are so exposed to it that most build a resistance even in the womb.

Thank you for your questions and my best to you!

Take care, skyyblues

There are other products on the market for managing knee pain due to osteoarthritis that do not contain formaldehyde like Synvisc does. Talk to your doctor about a non-avian, non-formaldehyde HA solution. There is one on the market that comes to mind and it has over 80% patient satisfaction rates.

Dear skyyblues:

First as per your comment: "The doc overlooked my allergy"

That is only partially correct. Two people overlooked your allegy. Your doctor AND you. Patients have an equal responsibility to take care of themselves. You appear very knowledgeable about your allergy which WADR is VERY rare. This is something you should be on top of because it is rare. Blame yourself on this one.

You are correct to seek a more academic place because of your many chemical sensitvities.

Doctor K

Hi skyyblues - I was very interested in your post as I have just discovered that I have the same allergy that you do and I am also badly needing a TKR. My doctor said that the bone cement that is generally used is called PMMA and one of it's components is formaldehyde. I have had bad allergic reactions in the past using this substance. First when I had acrylic fingernails applied and later when my dentist used it for a temporary crown. I see that your post is dated last May and I'm interested in what your outcome was. Hope it was positive, you had your surgery and everything went fine. If there is anyone else out there with a similar problem, please help. Thanks - gmagail