Thanks to all who responded.
Original post:
I see a 38yo transtibial amputee who works as a sales rep and does a lot
of traveling. I have not made his previous limb but have been fixing
his shuttle lock for a year. He now needs a new prosthesis and doesn’t
want one that sets off the airports security. His current prosthesis is
a 3S suspension, endo, with a Seattle/Carbon copy foot. Next time he
comes in I’ll for sure if it matters. All I ever do is fix his shuttle
so I apologize for not looking too close. Anyway, this prosthesis sets
off all detectors (except DFW?). His old prosthesis, from his
description, sounds like an exo with supracondylar suspension, foot
unknown. The airport tells me the detectors use magnets to work.
Patient states he would prefer endo but would go back to exo if
necessary. My question is how much metal, and what types can I get away
with. Foot bolt, Shuttle lock, Flex foots attachment bolts. How much
is too much. I understand each airport sets its own sensitivity but any
ideas?
Paul Edman, CP
RESPONSES
Paul-I’ve done a lot of flying and can attest that every airport has a
different sensitivity setting on their detectors. I have noticed of
late that all of them seem to be more sensitive. I suspect that the
announced increase in airport security measures a few months back
included this change. Anyway your best for a non-detectable prosthesis
might well be a Modular III Flex-Foot that is direct laminated to the
socket. In this way the only metal would be the heel attachment bolts.
I have noticed that steel shank shoes never seem to be the culprit when
the detector is going off. I suspect that the detectors lack
sensitivity in that area. Good luck!
Ted A. Trower C.P.,
A-S-C Orthotics A& Prosthetics, Jackson, MI
Clinical & Technical Consultant, Flex-Foot Inc.
http://www.flexfoot.com/expert/index.html
Paul;
I wear a Springlite Foot with aluminum and titanium fittings. I have
noticed that the newer security systems in most airports do not detect
the leg. I travel by air at least 2 times per month and rarely get
snagged. I think the key here is: The non-magnetic materials such as
Carbon Fiber, Aluminum and Ti. Also I make sure to remove all other
metal from my pockets and wrist that may set off the detector. Good
Luck, Call me if you need mare info on the Springlite foot.
Jack
What about an aluminum shuttle lock ( I think Alps has one) or lanyard?
Also, you could laminate the Flex foot “pylon” to the socket. I don’t
know about the “heel” bolts on the foot; I would call Kirk at Flex foot
and see if they could substitute something else. Such a small amount
may not matter?
You could laminate a FlexFoot or Springlite directly to the socket and
eliminate metal fasteners at that juncture (Springlite would further
eliminate the heel to pylon metal fasteners) and use an Iceross
w/lanyard attachment.
This would seem to minimize metal in the device.
Mark Smith, CP
I have a ReFlex VSP Flex Foot and I very seldom set off the security
systems.
Earl Fogler, CP
(I don’t fly that much, but it is out of Houston, DFW, Orlando,
Airports)
Dear Sir,
I have a patient using an Endoflex(polyprop.structure) with very little
complaint about that.Of course as you have said every airport settles
its own sensitivity at a certain level.At the local airport in Rid de
Janeiro,even a small piece of aluminum paper from a chew gum can fire
the signal.In those cases I think it will be rather difficult to fulfill
your patient wills completely.
Sincerely,
Mario Cesar Carvalho
Rio de Janeiro-Brazil
Paul,
I have heard that carbon fiber also trips the detectors. You might want
to check into that if you use laminations or carbon pylons. You
probably could throw some legs together from house parts and have the
airport check them
C. Martin, CPO
Paul –
I wear a KAFO and an AFO. I also travel alot ( 40-50,000 miles/year) by
air. The only time I DIDN’T set off airport detectors was when my
braces were all plastic (before metal joints were installed). Plus, in
the last 4-5 years the detectors have gotten real sensitive. I’m in the
habit now of not even going through the detector, just asking the
security people to get out the wand and search me. It’s easier.
I’ll bet your patients exo leg would set off the detectors nowdays. You
might take a trip down to an airport one night (off-peak hours) and
bring some hardware with you and get the security people to help you
figure out how much hardware is too much.
Hope this helps!
Karen Steele
Future CO
(student at Northwestern beginning in Jan)
Paul,
I have had steel shanks in my shoes set off metal detectors at the
airports, not very often but once in awhile. I don’t know if you can
ever guarantee him not to set off a detector, but you can help minimize
his chances. PDI makes a great shuttle lock that has a plastic body
with a brass collar where the pin inserts to give it longevity. They
work really well and have some of the highest(if not the highest) weight
limits available. I have a couple of patients wearing them and have
experienced no problems. Just try to minimize metal wherever you can
and good luck!!
Reed Coleman, C.P.
Advantage P & O
3821 Southern Ave.
Shreveport, LA 71106
Hi Paul
It will ALWAYS set off the alarm
Any metal at all in the leg will trigger them especially since they are
now so much more sensitive
All he has to do is say he uses a pacemaker and they will scan him with
the wand
Kimberley Barreda
