January 2009 Archives
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Researchers discovered that patients with total knee
replacements (TKR) are more likely to set off the security scanners at airports
due to the metal in their implants, compared to those with total hip (THR) or
other replacements.
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90% of patients with one TKR experienced the implant setting off
the detectors, and 100% of patients with bilateral knee replacements set off the
detectors.
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Unicompartmental (partial) replacements in either one or both
knees did not activate the detectors.
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A variety of trauma implants (which can be quite large) can go
undetected due to how fast a person goes through the detector and/or and the
positioning of the patient.
·
When the hand-held scanners are used, all implants/devices are
detected.
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The relevance of this study is that many patients are not warned
about the prospect of setting off the detectors and the possibility of being
individually scanned and examined.
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More than 60% of patients in the study felt anxious about
setting off the scanner due to the public embarrassment of additional scanning
and an exam.
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More than 80% of patients of wished that they had received a card
alerting airport personnel that they have a replacement so that they could
bypass public scanners and be checked by individual scanners in private.
·
If you have a total joint replacement check with your
orthopaedic surgeon to see if he/she has a card that you can carry in your
wallet to avoid any hassle in the airport!
Rapp, Susan M. "Most Patients Should
Expect TKR Implants to Activate Airport Security Check Systems" Orthopedics
Today: Joint Reconstruction (2008): 10.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION:
- Arthritis is one of the most common reasons for
disability.
- Primary diagnosis for 430,000 hospital discharges
- $14 billion in hospital charges
- 12.1 % of Americans older than 60 years of age had symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis/most common type)
Johnston
County Osteoarthritis Study
This study analyzed the
lifetime risk associated with developing osteoarthritis of the knee and
hip. The study was designed to be
representative of a civilian English speaking black and white population 45
years or older. Participants had
to be physically and mentally capable of completing the study.
The lifetime risk of
developing symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee by 85-years-old was
44.7%. There were no significant
differences by race, sex and education, but obese participants had a significantly
higher lifetime risk (60.5% compared with 30.2% and 46.9% among those who were normal
weight and overweight, respectively).
In addition, patients with
a history of knee injury had a higher lifetime risk of 56.8% compared to
42.3%.
Overall, this study
demonstrates the high lifetime risk of symptomatic osteoarthritis is likely due
to the aging of the population and the alarming rates of obesity. One in two people is at risk of
developing symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and two out of three obese people. The link of obesity to symptomatic
osteoarthritis demonstrates yet another reason to educate the public about
weight loss and weight management.
Osteoarthritis is associated with enormous health costs as well as
disability. By educating the
public on how to manage or even eliminate obesity and weight issues, we have
the potential of decreasing the public health burden of this condition.
Murphey, L. "Lifetime Risk of Symptomatic Knee Arthritis." Arthritis and Rheumatism 59 (2008): 1207-1213.