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Knee replacement in airport.

Posted , 14 users are following.

john_04330
john_04330

Somebody said to me the other day that the metal in a knee replacement will be detected by security,so you have to have a letter from your doctor/surgeon. Does anybody know about/have experience of this please?

0 likes, 38 replies

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  • lindak55
    lindak55 john_04330

    Posted

    Bleep in the UK but in some countries the equipment isn't that sensitive. That said had no problems - just said I had a knee replacement (and back, but that is a different story as the cage has only rang once).  They gave me the once over and I offered to show them my scar which they declined!  If I thought I was going to have any problems I would take a copy of my discharge letter with me.

    Linda

    • john_04330
      john_04330 lindak55

      Posted

      Squeamish airport security Linda. Cant get the staff these days. Ive not got a discharge letter. The guy who did mine just said Ill see you in 12 months. Never told me I could drive,or get on a plane. But Ive already done one and will soon be doing the other. I think we all deserve a break after this

      John.

  • lindak55
    lindak55 john_04330

    Posted

    Defininately! Enjoy your holiday John.  I am sure the sunlight and seawater in Mallorca aided my recovery!
    • john_04330
      john_04330 lindak55

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      Thanks. Just booked for Greece,though Im gonna cover my leg up at least part of the time. Early June so it will be hot. I like Majorca also,lovely island. Still got a bit of a rash round the knee. Saw a specialist and he gave me more cream for it said as you do that sunlight will do it good. Everything in moderation though. Even the beer this time

      John.

  • Clarkey1962
    Clarkey1962 john_04330

    Posted

    Hi John

    Yeah sets the alarm off every time!!! Consultant would give me a letter as most airport secuity will want to check anyway ... due to security and the fact someone could say they have a replacement when they don't ... and it could be something more sinister. It's not a problem I just let them j have a knee replacement they check me over and then off I go!!! Easy really .. I quite like setting off the machine!! 😂😂

    • john_04330
      john_04330 Clarkey1962

      Posted

      Hi Clarkey

      Had a laugh at that. I think i might get a letter from my GP though its like getting an audience with the Pope.

       

    • Clarkey1962
      Clarkey1962 john_04330

      Posted

      Ha ha ... good luck!! You could always just walk through like nothing had happened and get them to do all the checks and then say ... Oh yeah I've had my knee replaced!!!! 😂😂
  • Annibgood
    Annibgood john_04330

    Posted

    Hi John

    How you doing.  Long time no hear!

    You must be feeling better if your planning a holiday.

    What are we now? 20-21 weeks?

    How is pain and movement?  I see your still having trouble with that rash. Hopefully the sun will sort that out for you.

    My pain is minimal now unless I do too much and I still take the odd strong painkiller.  Still get the 'log leg' and stiffness when I sit too long.  Tom's 'thunder and lightning' pain seem to be a thing of the past though. Bend is good and so is extension.

    You should have no problem going through the airport, mind you it depends on the airport. London Airports are the worst. My sister, who has more metal in her than a robot always gets pulled up in Gatwick, I usually abandon her there, swear I have never seen her before in my life, but she just swans through Leeds!

    Enjoy your holiday

    Ann

    The Irish One!

    • john_04330
      john_04330 Annibgood

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      Doing well apart from the rash. Still get the clicking despite doing the exercise routine religiously. I dont think that will go but not too worried about it. Yes,its about 20 weeks now Ann. I think we were around the same time. Im not getting much pain though like you take the odd killer,naproxen in my case. I go to physio and shes always said shes pleased with my bend and straightening. Walking without stick but still get the band feeling and the heavy leg feeling. 

      I saw a skin specialist the other day and he said what I thought. THat as the rash,which is around the knee and about the size of a hand,is only on one knee it could be connected to the op. Though the surgen said it wasnt,but he would say that wouldnt he? Anyway he gave me some cream which I will hopefully get tomorrow. Skin guy said it looked like excema. Im a bit baffled by that actually. 

      Booked for Greece in june ANN. Going from Manchester. Hate it but not much choice. Id like to go in the sea but apparently theres rocks and a chance of falling especially with not being quite so nimble. But as you say,and the specialist confirms,sun might help. Though Ill cover my legs more than usual

      Anyway,enough about me Ann. How are you? Hope things a bit better. 

      Thank you

      John.

  • sharon52158
    sharon52158 john_04330

    Posted

    Went to Portugal last September after my first knee replacement just told them that I had one done  set the alarm off then they just used the wand thing over my knee so no problems 
    • john_04330
      john_04330 sharon52158

      Posted

      Thanks Sharon . THat seems to be the case. They can do that and if theyre not satisfied they can strip me so long as they dont do it in front of the other passengers. They might laugh but i wont.
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 john_04330

    Posted

    Yes, the metal detector goes off......no the letter won't help. Security just nods, says I.k. and sends you to the line to be scaned. Even the full body scan has never speeded things up for me. Just allow a few extra minutes and don't try and fight the system. I carried the letter and the card the st 20 times through then said to hell with it and proudly displayed the scar. Start telling them all of the woes of this kind of surgery.....that'll speed them up a little. They don't really want to hear allbtge gory details again
    • john_04330
      john_04330 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Hi mate

      THats a great idea. Will make sure I can roll my truser leg up to show my scar. Hopefully Ill get another squeamish one. Hope the rash has gone by then though. Thanks

      John.

  • deborah90838
    deborah90838 john_04330

    Posted

    Yes you will ring. I have a card but they've never wanted to see it. They just wand me, pat my knees and send me on my way. No big deal.
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