How sensitive are airport metal detectors to orthopaedic implants?

Airport metal detectors are quite sensitive to metals, this includes metal implants that may have been placed inside your body. Belt buckles, key chains, and steel-toed shoes may set off these sensitive metal detectors. Many commonly used orthopedic implants may also set off the metal detectors.



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Over 90% of implanted total hip and knee arthroplasty devices will set off airport metal detectors. Many implants now include ceramic and plastic materials in addition to metal, and the metal will still likely cause an alarm in the metal detector.

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Over 90% of implanted total hip and knee arthroplasty devices will set off airport metal detectors. Many implants now include ceramic and plastic materials in addition to metal, and the metal will still likely cause an alarm in the metal detector.

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The majority of metal detectors used by the TSA work by creating an electromagnetic field, which sets off an alarm when it detects any nearby magnetic metals. In most cases, modern dental implants are primarily made from titanium, a non-magnetic metal. So, titanium dental implants should rarely trigger metal detectors.

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If you have a hip replacement, knee replacement, a metal plate and screws, a metal rod inside your bone, or one of many other types of orthopedic implants, you may set off the airport metal detector.

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With a knee replacement, you need to prepare to go through security. After all, your knee can set off the medical detectors. If you're planning on flying, ask your doctor to provide you with a letter that talks about your surgery. It's also possible for airport security to ask to see your surgery scar.

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We suggest you wait 10–14 days before traveling if you have several dental implants or a more complicated procedure. It just means that there are potential problems that can come up and cause disruption, not that you cannot fly.

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Download and complete a Notification Card to be provided to the TSA officer who will be conducting your screening. The Notification Card is intended to describe your health condition, disability or medical device to the TSA officer in a discreet manner, helping to ensure your privacy.

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The breast implants will not be visible to the TSA agent. Breast prosthesis, however, will be detected during a full-body scanner. Travelers with breast prosthesis should inform the TSA agent about their prothesis before proceeding into the scanner; they may go through additional security screening.

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Any biological material, including weed, look orange on an airport scanner. The contents in your bag will appear orange, blue, or green depending on the energy that travels through the airport scanner.

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Other things that accidentally set off body scanners are body piercings and wire supports in undergarments. External tumors might also trigger the machine, but growths inside—such as fibroids—will not. “Perspiration is probably the weirdest thing that can set off the scanners,” Malvini Redden says.

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