The cold weather and metal implants

I have two total hip replacements (titanium and ceramic), as well as L1-L5 fusions/cage (so a significant amount of titanium in there as well). Heck, I feel part bionic now.

I've never noticed any of the metal feeling any colder than the rest of the body.

I love the snow and cold, and it's not uncommon for me to even walk the dog in the winter while wearing shorts, boots, and a jacket. So I'm pretty "exposed" in that regard.

Do wearing thick scarves and keeping your neck warm that way while outside offer any help?

What I feel more, temperature-wise, are my dentures. Now they get colder, or feel that way. But none of the metal.

Be kind to yourself,...it's been exceptionally cold as of late, lots of snow, ice, and bitter wind. So it could be your body just telling you: "I'm cold, take me inside, and let's do hot cocoa instead!"



M.

Good question SB. I've got a titanium knee and the reason I moved to Florida was the sheer fact that thing aches like an abscessed tooth when the temperature drops under 50! I mean nothing helps that I've found kind of ache.

Im not positive it's the metal but I've got arthritis in both knees ans other joints and they dont do that.

I also notice that knee just takes on the whole feel of a cold hinge?

I have a total knee implant that is chromium and the cold makes it throb and nonbendable.

 

Florida does make it feel better.  I am still in cold, snow and ice and I really need to get down south but it isnt happening.  Not enough money to fly down and back.

 

I have tried the therma wrap on my knee but it doesnt help.

 

Hope everyone has a lower pain day soon.

Betsey

Thanks for sharing Betsey...I think times are tight for many of us to travel right now. I know that you always enjoyed your trips down to FL for the winter so I'm sorry it isn't happening this year:(

I think the absolute thing I would enjoy the most is having a hot tub!!!! I used to have a friend who has moved who had one and we would hang out in it at least once a week in the fall/winter!!!

I had a neighbor back in the 80's who had neck fusion surgery and back then, she actually got a prescription for a hot tub and had it covered by insurance!!!! Not that I would wish anyone having surgery just to get one...LOL

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 12/15/2013 6:04:07 PM (GMT-7)

SB,

I have metal in my foot - and I feel it when it's cold.

While I absolutely prefer fall/winter to ANY heat........ my body feels it for sure. It's hard to move (stiff)....... and I literally hurt from head to toe, lol.

Ahhhh, a hot tub. A neighbor has one - and has invited me over NUMEROUS times. I seriously think it's about time to take her up on it, lol.

(But it's all perspective........ I live in California, lol).......... that said, I've also lived in Denver, Colorado - so I do know true cold too!

--Tina

Hi SB,

I don't have any implants but the coldness sure does affect me. I can tell when it's going to rain and I live in a warm climate area.

Tina: I think you should take up your neighbor's offer. The hot tub should give you some relief.

UA

Wow, glad I was not the only one. I shattered my wrist about 20 years ago, and they rebuilt it with some type of fairly large metal plate and 6 screws. It healed well, and the doctor said that it would be in me for life. At the time, I worked in the produce department of the grocery store. The cold temperature of the coolers and always being in cold water caused me awful pain, constantly. I kept going back to the doctor and telling him about it, but he said there was nothing he could do, and that it should not be causing me that much pain. I put up with it for 2 years, and went back and basically camped out in the doctors office. I told him that either he take it out, or I would. He finally agreed, but would not guarantee that my wrist would remain stable. It took him about 10 minutes with local anesthetic, scalpel, and a screwdriver. Healed within days, and I have never had an ounce of pain in that area again.

I keep the plate and screws in a bag at home, and every time I look at it I am shocked that a plate that size could have fit in my skinny little wrist.

Thanks again for all the great comments, thoughts, and suggestions...Glad I'm not alone in feeling like the Tin Man at times...LOL

I wanted to update my comment.

I still maintain, for me, I don't feel the metal in my spine or in either hip,....buuuuut,...I do feel the rod I have in my foot. A lot. I didn't make the connection really. I don't know if it's the location or a combination of things, but so far, that's the only metal in my body that I can "feel" get cold.

I can also feel my dentures get cold (but they're not metal)! ;P



M.

I have titanium rods inside all three leg bones (femur, tibia, fibula) also an attachment to my hip. The ache is unbearable when it is cold, or when the barometric pressure is up (about to rain)! I have friends around me who do not understand and often underestimate how debilitating it is. I cannot just "deal with it"...any ideas on how to alleviate this pain? Also, does anyone "know why" this happens?
Thanx, SunnieDawn~