Of medical metal and security

[Seanette]

For those who aren't aware, my husband suffered a broken leg about four months ago, and treatment involved implanting a metal rod in his tibia. He'll have jury duty within the next few months, and we're concerned about how much of a problem that metal in his leg will be when going through courthouse security. Is there some sort of documentation that would be useful/needed for him to have available?

[EricKei]

Call the courthouse and ask - Tho I suspect a letter from the doctor explaining why the metal is there would suffice.

[TheSHAD0W]

I'm sure your husband won't be the only person courthouse security has had to deal with who has a metallic implant. I'm also sure there won't be any special handling; they'll probably pat him down every time he goes through the security gate.

[YamiNoHime]

All he has to do is tell them where the metal is and they'll wand the area. My husband has staples in his knee and my dad has small plates in his back.

[csquared]

A physician's note might help expedite things. Then again, maybe not.

[KuariKaydrith]

I was told in the past that surgical steel shouldn't set off any metal detectors...but I discovered how wrong that was. I have a metal plate and a couple of screws in my arm after a particularly nasty break that required surgery. Imagine my surprise the first time I set off a metal detector...on a BC Ferry no less! I usually had no issues in airports, but I always set off the alarm whenever I went anywhere near the security thingies in the doorway of the gift shop on this particular ferry. I got wanded and explained to the security officer what the situation was, and never had any issue after that.

I was told though that if it became a regular issue, especially if I planned on travelling a lot, that I would need to get a doctor's note explaining that I had the metal in my arm. I figure it's a good idea to have one if you're planning on travelling internationally anyway.

[Seanette]

My husband has titanium. Don't know if that makes a difference.

We're not prone to much traveling. Even if we were interested in doing so, time/money pretty much prohibits.

[YamiNoHime]

Titanium doesn't tend to set off metal detectors, but tell them anyway ( I have a small titanium plate in my neck)

[Kit-Ginevra]

That explains so much

[YamiNoHime]

Well, at least some part of you is smart.

[AccountingDrone]

The tiny amount of whatever that is radio-opaque in my port emplacement tripped off the full body xray scan thingy. I had totally forgotten to mention it because I am so used to it being there. Makes me wish I had tried flying while hooked up to an infusion pump=)

[Bob Blaylock]

Titanium doesn't tend to set off metal detectors, but tell them anyway ( I have a small titanium plate in my neck)

I don't know how sensitive security-type detectors are, but I have a cheap treasure-hunting-type metal detector. Now, sometimes to amuse myself and/or others, I run it over my legs, to show that my left leg now registers as metal, due to the titanium rod therein.