One of the most critical and practical questions on the minds of patients planning to undergo limb lengthening surgery or those in active treatment is how these high-tech implants will affect their daily lives and potential medical needs. Although these titanium alloy nails are extremely safe and biocompatible, due to their operating principles, they have rules that must be followed in certain special situations (especially Magnetic Resonance - MRI devices and security detectors).
As the Time to be Taller clinic, under the leadership of Op. Dr. Sedat Duman and Op. Dr. Muhammed Duman, we examine the MRI compatibility and airport security protocols of the internal lengthening systems, Precice 2 and Fitbone nails, with all their medical details in this guide.
The Precice 2 method performs the lengthening process via an externally applied remote control (ERC device). To ensure this interaction, there is a sensitive magnetic mechanism inside the titanium nail.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance) machines use massive and extremely powerful magnets for imaging. Entering an MRI machine while the Precice 2 nail is in your body is strictly contraindicated (dangerous and forbidden). The strong magnetic field can damage (demagnetize) the mechanism inside the nail, cause the nail to heat up, or lead to unwanted millimetric movements, potentially harming the bone lengthening process.
The Fitbone method, a product of German engineering, operates with a small subcutaneous receiver (antenna) and a miniature electronic motor inside the nail, rather than a magnetic interaction.
Just like pacemakers or other electronic implants, the Fitbone nail is negatively affected by the intense electromagnetic field created by the MRI machine. The electronic motor and receiver module inside the device can be damaged. Therefore, it is not medically appropriate to have an MRI while the Fitbone nail is in the body.
One of the most common concerns of our international patients is the freedom of travel. The main body of Precice 2 and Fitbone nails is made of titanium, a biocompatible and lightweight metal. Since titanium is not a ferromagnetic metal like steel or iron, it may not always trigger an alarm in older style walk-through metal detectors.
However, modern, highly sensitive body scanners and X-Ray systems used in today's airports have the technology to detect medical implants in the body. This does not pose a problem or obstacle. Upon discharge, our clinic will provide you with an internationally valid, English-language "Medical Implant Card".
Showing this card or your doctor's report to the officer while passing through security control is completely sufficient to get through the security procedures without any issues. Your implants are absolutely unaffected by pressure changes during the flight.
You can review the clinical workflow of this entire process and the details of the lengthening phases on our Comprehensive Guide to Limb Lengthening Surgery page.
Yes. Computed Tomography (CT) and standard X-Ray devices do not use magnetic fields, so they can be safely used while you have Precice 2 or Fitbone nails.
Titanium is a non-magnetic metal and may not trigger every detector. However, modern and highly sensitive X-Ray devices can detect these implants. Therefore, it is sufficient to carry the 'Medical Implant Card' provided by our clinic with you.
Yes. Once the healing (consolidation) process is complete and the hardware is removed from your body, you will be completely metal-free. From that moment on, you can safely undergo an MRI at any time for the rest of your life.
Sedat Duman, MD
With years of experience, Time To Be Taller serves its patients in its clinic located in Mall of Istanbul.
