Will The Screws In My Leg Set Off The Airport Security Alarm?
admin on Dec 07 2009 at 10:16 am | Filed under: General Foot & Health Care
After surgery involving placement of screws and/or plates, many wonder if they will set off the Airport Security Alarm on their next trip. No one wants to be pulled aside by airport security, forced to stand with their legs apart while the airport security uses a wand to detect the exact location of the metal on their body. When no metal surfaces, it adds to the confusion and also causes embarrassment and delays in travel.
A study at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma Washington evaluated the detectability of common implants used in foot and ankle surgery. The researchers packed both stainless steel and titanium devices in meat and placed the devices in plastic bags. The number and type of implants were designed to simulate the hardware for specific procedures. The bags were then attached to the test subjects who walked through an AT gate-type detector. A wand-type detector was then used on all test subjects.
None of the implants were detected by the AT gate-type detector, but many of the implants were detected by the wand detector. The implants which were most detectable were the total ankle joint implant, the bone stimulator, great toe joint implant, stainless steel screws for fixation of ankle fractures and large stainless steel screws for reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. The smaller titanium implants (weighing less than 3 grams) were not detected by the wand.
Most implants used in common foot and ankle procedures (ie: small screws) were not detected using the gate or wand detector. But, technological advancements in security detection continues to improve and the detectors are becoming more sensitive. Individuals who have had surgery with the implantation or titanium or stainless steel devices should carry a card stating they have had surgery with an implant to prevent delays during travel.
Foot Ankle Int 27 (12): 1096-1102, Dec 2006.
