Orthopaedic Devices Triggering Airport Metal Detectors

A study published this Spring examined 129 volunteers with a total of 149 implants to determine which devices are most likely to trigger detectors in airports.

Among the findings:

1. More than half of all orthopaedic devices may trigger metal detectors.
2. All total hip replacements were detected.
3. 90% of total knee replacements were detected.
4. Upper extremity prosthesis such as total shoulder replacements, total wrist replacements and radial head replacements were not detected.