Has anyone in this forum gone through airport security with THR?

Posted , 9 users are following.

I have to go back to my homeland in a month or two and will have to pass through several security checks in different countries.  It will be the first time with implants and i am wondering how easy or complicated it can be.  The information i found so far says that they do manual checks for people like us..

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    hi

    its not as complicated now as it used to be before you go through you must tell them what is implanded in your hip also your surgon will give you some kind of letter to prove this to give to the securety so don't worry about this you ask your surgon about this and be ready to show your scar in private if need be.

    Whether or not you have a card to alert the security personnel, they will have you step aside for further screening. To help you on your way, wear clothes that allow you to easily reveal your surgical scar such as sweat pants, short sleeve shirts, etc. Alert the security staff that you have a metal implant, and let them know where it is in your body. You will likely be screened with a metal detecting wand, but security sees many patients with these types of implants, and you shouldn't be delayed

    good luck 

    • Posted

      Thank you.  So much fun.  I have a scar on each side so i have to remember to wear my best underwear biggrin
    • Posted

      Hi I have 2 THR's but the thing that concerned me most was a plate, screws etc in my ankle from 5 years ago {Accident}

      I had a letter from my GP but for some reason I didnt set off any buzzers.....it was only a flight from England to Northern Ireland so dont know if that made any difference

      Havent been long haul since I had them done

      Love

      Eileen

  • Posted

    Hi Kaleani,

    I have a TKR and will be having a THR soon.  This past May we took a trip to Disney World in Florida and it was my first time after having the TKR.  I did set off the buzzers, they asked if I had a knee replacement and I said yes.  They moved me to another area and patted me down, swiped my palms (looking for explosive residue) had me remove my shoes and that was it.  They didn't want to see my scars nor the card I carried.  On the way back I got into the correct line as I knew I would set off the alarms and they put me in body scanner booth, I came out they noted anything (like my necklace) that showed up on the scanner and then I still got patted down and had my palms swiped again.  It didn't take long.  One thing to note I just answered their questions and moved on as they take their jobs quite serioiusly.  Don't worry it is not bad.

  • Posted

    Hi I have been through security several times and not a sound. I was stopped once but usually it's a random check.
  • Posted

    You set all alarms off! Mind you I have 2 false knees and haven't tried travel plus hip. You only get a light pat down and a wand waved over you to fix where the noise is. I always have to remove my shoes too. Last time I travelled, the lady behind me made just as much alarm with her underwired bra! Have a great visit.
  • Posted

    Oh it's quite an experience. Sometimes I go through and buzzers remain silent. Other times I get frisked down. Telling them you have a joint replacement means nothing as they are not going to believe you obviously. I wear loose harem pants and an arab scarf usually, just to keep them on their toes!  Travelling from Spain at Malaga, they usually wave me through when I tell them about hip replacement s. I find the staff at my local UK airport to be quite bullish and sometimes aggressive. Like you have a joint replacement to annoy them. I imagine in the USA it's worse.
  • Posted

    Hi, I'm 73 and I've recently been on a flight from Belfast to Malaga and in Belfast I set off the alarm & told them about the recent THR - but then discovered I had my mobile phone in my back pocket! SILLY ME.

    When the phone was removed they also made me take off my trainers & go through the Scanning arch again - & this time it didn't go off, but I still had to have the scanning wand run up & down my operated leg (fully clothed). They weren't interested in a surgeon's letter - after all, anyone could create one if they really wanted to. I had purposely worn jeans and was quite prepared to show them my scar - but they didn't ask.

    In Malaga the Scanning arch didn't go off, but I had told them about the THR in advance!

    It seems to depend on the airport, so you should be prepared to show your scar anyway- just in case.

    Best of luck with your journey

    • Posted

      Thank you!  I am prepared.  I will be flying several times thru different countries so after this trip, security will become second nature.
  • Posted

    Of course it's always an adventure..

    I like it better if the manual checks r by a really cute guy.. Then it makes my day.LOL

    CHEERS

    HOPE

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.