June Bushey

I will be travelling,by air,to England in June,and it will be my first trip since I had replacement knee surgery. I am a widow,in my seventies, and travelling alone,and would welcome any advice about metal detectors etc and just plain air travel with a tendency to stiffen after being in one spot too long!!

Louise

Hello, June - I have three pins in my hip and they have never been "detected". As to stiffening up, I think you will just have to get up and walk around a bit. One thing which may sound silly but helps me, particularly with swelling ankles, is to elevate each foot and with legs straight out trace with my foot and ankle through every letter of the alphabet in capitals.

Randi

I wouldn't worry much about the metal detectors. Even if they go off, the security guards will just run one of those hand-held thingamajiggers around your body and you'll be on your way. Also, get to the airport early (if you can't reserve the seat in advance) and ask to sit in the first row of coach where there's a litle extra room to manuever. Be nice and simply explain your predicament.

scigirl

My Grandmother recently had her knee replaced. She travels a lot and her doctor gave her a letter to carry with her in case she had problems with the metal detectors at the airport. Also, ask for a bulkhead seat, which will give you a little more leg room (or upgrade to first class if possible). If you have a coach ticket you might explain the situation when you check in and see if the airline will give you an upgrade for free to first class (if they have room). Be sure to get up and walk around and also to wear clothes that will keep your knee warm, both will help keep your knee from getting too stiff. Emjoy your trip!

maryjaneh

So what you are saying is that we all should have some "problem" and we can get free upgrades......Ummmmmmmm

ohbrother

maryJADED --- why the snotty comment? scigirl just gave her two cents worth about the topic --- sheeeeeeeeesh, lighten up, alrighty?

maryjaneh

Attention, Miss Nasty! We all have things that make sitting in coach a problem......and you think just because you are going to be uncomfortable, you or anyone should get a free upgrade. Fat chance! Quit being such a goodie two shoes!

stephanie

Hey, it never hurts to ask for an upgrade. You may just get rewarded simply for asking. Many of the business/first class seats to Europe probably go unoccupied, and if they're open, he who asks just may get rewarded for doing so. My husband and I did years ago. We simply asked if there were any window seats available on the plane after our seats were assigned. Our seats were changed, and to my surprise when we got on the plane I realized that those window seats were in row 11 of Business Class. On our way home, we simply asked if there were any upgrades available and again were rewarded with Business Class.

Go for it June!!

Dave

June,
Your post made me laugh out loud. Four years ago, I broke my leg and had a titanium rod put in to help set it. Unfortunately, it never set off any airport devices. However, that question is most people's first question when they heard that i had a titanium rod in my leg. So, if the materials they used for your new knee are titanium, I think you're in good shape.

As for stiffening up when you travel, stretching always works for me. my PT gave me some great stretches before I went away on my first trip 10 months after i broke my leg.

Good luck. Let me know if need anything else. Dave

June Bushey

A big thank you to all the nice people out there. I got a lot of good ideas,as well as a few chuckles!