Is it safe to fly with a hip or knee replacement? How soon after a joint replacement operation can you fly? And will your implant set off the airport security scanners? Alex Dodds, knee consultant for Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds, answers your questions on joint replacement and flying.
*photo courtesy of Matej Kastelic via shutterstock
Is it ok to fly with a hip or knee replacement?
You shouldn’t fly immediately after the operation, because flying soon after hip or knee surgery can increase the risk of a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot or DVT). Not every DVT is dangerous – a small clot may not cause any symptoms at all. But a large clot can be life threatening and you have no way of knowing how big a DVT will be until it occurs.
It’s also true that flying soon after a hip or knee replacement can be uncomfortable.
Once sufficient time has passed, there should be no problem flying, but you may wish to check with your airline about any conditions it may impose on flying after surgery.
How long after hip/knee replacement should I wait before flying?
As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t fly short haul within six weeks of hip or knee surgery. For long haul flights, double that to 12 weeks.
After that, and providing you feel comfortable, there shouldn’t be a problem.
What precautions or preparations should I take before flying with a hip or knee replacement?
Once you’re past the 6/12-week point noted above, the only steps you need take are the general ones applicable to all passengers. Stay well hydrated to reduce the risk of a DVT and regularly move around the plane if you can.
Will my knee/hip implant set off the airport scanner?
Yes, probably. A few years ago it was common for doctors to issue notes to patients which explained to security staff that they had had a joint replacement. Implants are now so common that we don’t do that anymore. Instead, you can expect airport staff to call you to one side when you pass through (and set off) the scanner.
Simply tell them about your implant and they will wave a hand scanner over the joint to confirm. It’s standard practice, and you can expect security staff to be well-experienced in dealing with passengers with joint replacements.
The NHS’s page on flying after surgery has more information and advice.
Book your appointment at my Cheltenham hip and knee clinic now or call 01242 246549.