Week 3, Day15. The Last Working Day

Today we attended the Orthopaedic Breakfast meeting (in the canteen), were I had polite chat about the mornings events. It seemed a bit of a treat, with it being the last day of the week(unless you are on call) for the all the Orthopods.

Today was to review some patients that had Dynamised over the last few days, and review new imaging on arrival. This was to decide whether they would have their frame removed today or another week or so.

Dynamising, is the term used for the removal/loosening of the support rods and to weight bear for a time. they would then come back and talk honestly about how they felt i.e. pain, un-steadiness etc. The patients always seemed keen or very nervous, and i felt that this was due to the amount of time they had had their frame.

The afternoon consisted of a very large ward round prior to the weekend this would make sure every thing was squared away regarding discharges, drugs, physio reviews, rehabilitation, anything that needed doing was done. I met patients who I was able to scrub in with during their operation, this was encouraging for myself, as I could see how I help within their recovery, albeit in a very small way. This has never occurred to me until now, how I help in a patients recovery, with imaging whether Plain film or Image Intensifying.

I now see myself playing major role within the patient recovery, and how much other professionals rely upon my practice. This has lead me to think along the lines of how the other professionals would like to see what is requested on the card and the position of the limb. Knowing what type of professional is requesting will let me know how too do the image and why the image was requested.

This was my last day with Mr R and Mr D's teams and with the Advanced Practice Nurses, I have learnt so much with regards to the Ilizarov Frame, but also how an Orthopaedic team work together. I can honestly say It has been the best three weeks I have had in ages, thoroughly enjoyed the trip.