Prosthesis info card

A reader mentioned that when he travels, he now carries a note from his doctor explaining that he has an artificial knee (May ’14, pg. 43).

My surgeon’s office provided me with a plastic, credit-card-sized card that reads, “The joint prosthesis implanted in this patient may activate metal detection devices,” followed by my name, implant type (knee), date of surgery and name of surgeon. On the other side is the name and address of the hospital.

If I set off the alarm at airport security, I show the card and sometimes get only the wand scan.

Perhaps the above-mentioned reader should check with his surgeon about getting such identification.

Fr. MICHAEL FILL

Philadelphia, PA