Question about airport with knee replacement

[Gizmo1951]

I had a total knee replacement about 7 months ago on my right knee and will be having the same on my left knee next month.
The Dr gave me a card for airport when I had my first one done
I wont be going to Disney until after this one heals.
So my question is do I just show card when going through security or what is the procedure
I just want to be prepared
Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

The card just says you have an artificial knee.
You can show it, but are not required to. You can just tell the screeners instead. The screeners will tell you what to do. That may vary from airport to airport, depending on what devices the airport has.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DH had both knees replaced and the doctor gave him a card. We've flown several times since then and there's really no point in even pulling the card out of DH's wallet. The metal detectors tell TSA everything they want to know. After the detector beeps, the TSA agent pulls DH aside for additional screening. Sometimes they use their magic wand, sometimes it's a pat down. They make sure a guy does the pat downs. Sometimes we get TSA pre-approval, and DH just walks through the huge body imaging machine and we're good to go. We did not sign up for TSA pre-approval; it just suddenly started appearing on our boarding passes.

 

[asta]

I have a knee replacement and a card for metal detectors and I have never set off a metal detector. I think there is more plastic than metal in artificial knees. I have been wanded many times at the entrance to sporting events and walked through a detector several times at secure government buildings. The alarms have never gone off. Maybe the airport is more sensitive.

 

[ImDMous]

I have a rod from my knee to ankle and have set off many an airport detector (although not always). I just tell them as I step in that's it's going to go off because of my leg and then they point me to the pat down area. No big deal really, just takes a few extra minutes. If they have a backscatter scanner, no problems at all. Also, there are different thresholds on metal detectors that they can set, so if they have it turned down, I don't set it off. That has become rare with airports but still works for concerts and sporting events most of the time. I've had this for about 17 years so I don't have a card or anything, it's never caused an issue.

 

[kamik86]

The big thing is just to give yourself a bit extra time to get through security. Especially if you are female. Most of the TSA agents seem to be male (at least at the airports I fly to) and sometimes it takes them a little while to move people around and have a female available for extra screening if my mom sets it off. You may not need that extra time but better to be safe...

 

[Dawnlight]

I have a bionic family member with artificial hips and all sorts of parts and pieces in their back. They alert the screener and are usually sent through the full-body image machine. Never any issues.

 

[Glittercat]

The metal in my knees used to set off the metal detector in Orlando, but never anywhere else. The last two trips however it did not, but I still have the full search pat down as does anyone in a chair. Good luck with your replacement!

 

[minnie mum]

I've set off every metal detector at every airport I've been thru since I had my knee replacement. I just tell the agent before I go thru it that it will alarm, and why. They just wave me over for a quick wanding and pat down. Occasionalky I've had to wait for a female agent to come over, but its usually over and done before DH has had a chance to put his belt back on, tie his shoes, and stash all his stuff back in his pockets. Its no big deal.

Oh, I did ask my orthopod about the card. He doesn't give them out any more because he says they really aren't a help. You're still getting an up close and personal with an agent whether you have a card or not.

 

[Gizmo1951]

Thanks For all the information!

 

[verleniahall]

My husband had to fly for miitary training after his chemo was finished, but he still had his portacath in and he just told them what it was and they did an extra - no worries