Implantation of orthopaedic devices in patients with metal allergy.

Patients with a contact allergy to chromium, cobalt and/or nickel, patch test verified before implantation of a metallic orthopaedic device, were followed up years later by clinical and radiographic examination as well as with epicutaneous and intracutaneous tests. Eighteen patients had been exposed to an orthopaedic implant for several years (mean 6.3 years) containing a metal to which they were allergic. None had suffered any dermatologic or orthopaedic complications attributable to the contact allergy.