Rash showing up after feeling ill

[the_dw4rf]

I had my right hip done August 2023, and it has been great.

My left hip was done July 2024. Both hips were done by Dr. Mont in Baltimore.

I've had an issue with my left side twice in the last 2 months - first in early February, and then again yesterday.

Had some chills, fatigue, body aches, upset stomach. This time I developed a fever, the first time I did not. Was absolutely wiped out. Lasted less than a day. Then, after I felt better, I had a rash develop on my left hip.

I have no pain or tightness in the hip, it feels fine.

The first time this happened, my local ortho had my C-reactive protein and sedimentation rate tested, and they all came back very low, so no elevated levels of inflammation, ruled out infection. Also, he said if I was having metallosis or a reaction to the metal there would typically also be increased inflammatory markers.

I scheduled to see Dr. Mont's head nurse, she said because the area is still healing for the first year or so, its prone to react with rashes from viruses, etc. She said especially with COVID there has been lots of strange reactions around implants, etc, and to monitor it.

Has anyone else had similar issues, or does anyone have input on this?

Thanks

[MattFL]

I don't have anything to contribute, but please do come back and let us know what you figure out.

Edit --> Is it possible you might be allergic to stitches or glue that was used in the surgery?  This happened to a family member, she was allergic to the skin glue they closed the wound with and had a rash and itching for a while.  But that happened very shortly after the surgery. 

[the_dw4rf]

I had an itchy rash when my right hip was done from the adhesives, so when they did the left hip they used something different that didn't bother me.

I had considered an allergy, either to cobalt or the adhesives, etc, but that doesn't explain the sickness both times.

I suppose it IS possible that I did pick up a virus that cause the fever / chills, and the reaction was just from the still healing / sensitive areas, but I don't know... twice in two months?

The rash did clear MUCH more quickly this time. I still have some increase inflammation in my hip but that is also fading quickly.

I tried to contact an infectious disease expert to see if they can rule out some kind of chronic low grade infection, but I need a referral and my ortho I saw here doesn't seem to be open to it.

[MattFL]

My non-medical thought is if the first hip didn't bother you, and the second hip is made of the same material, then perhaps it's unlikely that the implant material is the issue. 

If it was caused by or exacerbated by a virus the first time, then maybe it shows you're predisposed to that issue and so it happening again isn't as much of a surprise as it happening the first time.  Or maybe your body didn't completely clear the virus on the first go round.  Clearly I'm just making guesses, but I hope whatever it was stays away going forward. 

[Elmo Te]

For what it is worth, I had a very itchy rash that did not clear up post surgery.  It was only after seeing a dermatologist and being diagnosed with exema in other areas that I was able to get rid of it.  Applied the exema cream to it and it cleared in a couple of days.