Systemic nickel allergy after internal fixation of a bunionectomy.

Allergic reactions to implanted metals have been estimated to occur in 1% to 5% of orthopedic cases. Stainless steel screws, which contain 14% nickel, are commonly used for internal fixation in an array of podiatric procedures. We present a rare case of a systemic allergic reaction to nickel secondary to stainless steel screw fixation in a bunionectomy procedure.