I have a metal rod in my leg which will set of airport metal detectors. How do I get around this?

Question

I have been told by someone I know who has a metal hip joint, that he has to carry a medical certificate saying this to enable him to pass airport security despite seting off metal detectors. Prior to carrying this he visited Paris and was subjected to a body search because he had no proof of his metal joint. Am I likely to have to do the same

I have been told by someone I know who has a metal hip joint, that he has to carry a medical certificate saying this to enable him to pass airport security despite seting off metal detectors. Prior to carrying this he visited Paris and was subjected to a body search because he had no proof of his metal joint. Am I likely to have carry a certificate to prove that I have a metal rod in my leg?

Answer 1

If traveling in the US and going through a checkpoint ran by TSA there is NO way around the additional screening. A lot of people have their cards showing they have metal implants, but we are trained basically to not trust anyone, even though you have a card doesn't mean you for one actually have a implant, you could be hiding a weapon, so if we let everyone who has a medical card stating they have an implant would you feel safe? Remember, people can make fake ID's of all sorts now a days on the computer. Second, as far as I know TSA doesn't do body searches as far as what I think a lot of people are saying about other countries.

Answer 2

Metal Rod In Leg

Answer 3

You have one of 2 choices: 1) Get a card and carry it with you when you travel. 2) Submit to extra scanning of the affected body part. I have 18 metal plates in a fusion of my spine in my neck and upper back and regularly have to be "wanded" at the airport or even at federal buildings. When they pass the wand over my neck and see that there is no way I have anything there, they let me go through. Have never had a body search due to this, but that may be different if it is in a place where you could hide things (like a hip being near a pocket).

Answer 4

I have an artificial knee which sets off the detector every time I go through one. You cannot get around it....tell them you have an a metal joint but they will still do the full scan. Never been subjected to a full body search, and we travelled back home from Europe during the recent terrorist action.

Answer 5

It depends on the metal. My sister has a titanium rod in her leg and she has yet to set off any detectors. (Kinda scary eh?) She does carry a medical card thogh just in case. Better to be safe than sorry! I know I don't want to go thru a body search at customs!!!!

Answer 6

I haven't been on a plain since I was a kid and no say in the matter.This is a good reason,among the many others, to stay on the road.Sadly this sounds like the perfect place for a fancy man or butch to get a job.I can identify with wanting to drop that guy where he lived and I don't want to put my self in a situation where I might loose my freedom or worse.

Answer 7

Have a medical certificate with you, but expect a body search anyway. They might let you thru even without the medical certificate after a complete body search. So be ready for that.

Answer 8

I have titanium screws in my shoulder - this does not cause a problem. Perhaps it is the metal that is used. You could carry a copy of your xrays. If a problem does exist here you can be sure that you are not the first to experience it - the airport people know what procedure to follow.

Answer 9

My mom has a metal shoulder and my brother has metal plates in his face. Both of their doctors' gave them a small business card size picture to carry around just for that reason.

Answer 10

It's 2015 and I have one in my left leg from a shattered ankle. How do I get this card/certificate? I've seen cards online but they cost. After paying more than $15K to correct the problem, I wouldn't think I'd have to pay more. My ortho surgeon says he's heard of, but doesn't do them (which, by the way, I don't believe. Thanks