2.  The Hospital for Special Surgery has helped a
Philadelphia woman get over debilitating pain
resulting from a double knee surgery. The
woman had both knees replaced to treat
severe osteoarthritis. Knee replacements often
come with initial pain, but over time, her pain
got worse and spread, rather than getting
better. After several months, she couldn’t even
dress herself alone.
The woman had trouble finding help. Her
surgeon referred her to a rheumatologist, who
prescribed a drug that proved ineffective.

3.  Eventually, the woman sought the help of the
Hospital for Special Surgery’s Dr. Geoffrey
Westrich. He discovered that she was very
allergic to two metals, nickel and cobalt, used
in her implants.
After the discovery, he moved quickly to
remove the implants and provide her with new
ones that her body could accommodate. Six
months after her first revision surgery and two
months after her second, her pain had gone
away almost completely. She has since
returned to her normal routine.