Air Travel

For larger, lower extremity surgeries like joint replacement or ACL reconstruction, air travel can present added risk of forming blood clots (deep venous thrombosis--DVT).

For the vast majority of surgeries I perform, there is no significant risk of blood clots and flying. Air travel can cause changes in swelling that can be uncomfortable. Especially for larger fracture surgeries, you may want to avoid flying for 24 hours during the acute swelling phase. If you have to fly, it is unlikely to be dangerous, but the swelling may be painful and uncomfortable. Be sure to keep the limb elevated and iced.

Metal Detectors and Implants

Buried metal implants such as plates and screws or joint replacements are unlikely to set off any metal detectors or security screening. If they do, the agent will need to use the hand-held metal detector wand to further investigate. This is not dangerous for you. There is no card or letter that I can write to get you out of this additional screening.

External hardware such as metal pins for finger fractures or external fixators are more likely to go off but are also easily visible to the agents.

stay Hydrated

Both surgery and travel can be dehydrating. If you are traveling within the first week after your surgery, be especially careful about drinking enough water.

HIre a Red Cap

Even as you start to recover from surgery, remember that it takes quite a while for things to normalize. You will need more help than you think with bags and other logistics for a few months. You may need to check baggage that you would otherwise carry on, park closer or get a ride, and utilize sky caps at the airport and bellhops at the hotel. The five dollar tip is money well spent if you can avoid a complication.