short week

New Vocab:

· Etiology: term refers to the causes of diseases or pathologies.

· Effusion: the process in which individual molecules flow through a hole without collisions between molecules.

· Aspiration: Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle.

· INR: International normalized ratio, a system established to report blood coagulation (clotting) tests. It is assessed through the prothrombin time which tests the time needed for clot formation after a substance called thromboplastin (+ calcium) has been added to plasma.

· Anticoagulant: blood thinner. Coumadin is a drug consumed orally, normally prescribed to patients that have had joint replacement surgery. It prevents the clotting of blood.

· Loose body: dead fragments of tissue that is no longer intact

· Butterfly fragment: free floating bone pieces, remnants of a fracture.

· CT scan: x-ray computed tomography, used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.

2/3/11

I only reported to my placement two days of this week due to weather. One of the days I missed, was due to closure of the clinic itself. On Monday I was to perform the mundane task of charting with Jeanie, Dr. Williams’ nurse. I finished with an hour to spare. I was then put on several errands, delivering documents between personnel in the office. It wasn’t terribly exciting, but I was able to talk to one of the physical therapists, Rachael. She was discussing with me the use of kinesio-tape, which is a special elastic therapeutic tape used in therapy to relax overused muscles as well as facilitate underused muscles [D]. This works because the tape is made of a polymer that allows for elasticity in one direction and not the other depending on how it’s applied [A]. Its elastic properties aid in mechanical movement of athlete’s joints, targeting certain muscles. It’s also said to have a lifting effect on the skin which can reduce swelling and inflammation by improving circulation and reduce pain by taking pressure off pain receptors. Not only is tape used to treat athletic injuries but also a variety of physical disorders. It was interesting to learn about the tape’s properties as well as seeing it being applied on a patient who has had recent strains on his neck due to the restrictions he has had with a painful shoulder [D].

Today, I had the reoccurring pleasure of meeting with Dr. Williams. I was able to aid with the removal sutures of postoperative patients. He also walked me through the arthroscopic images taken in one of his cases. In an arthroscopic surgery several portals (holes), usually 5 or 6, are made near the injured site. Then cameras are directed down the portals to investigate the injury. Special instruments are then navigated using the images from the camera on a monitor, where the doctor can take the appropriate steps of carrying out the operation. He also walked through a CT scan with me [D]. I found it particularly fascinating how technology has evolved where a three dimensional image of a bone can be taken as it remains in the body [F]. There are some cases where Dr. Williams chooses not to take or refers to other doctors. This shows that each physician has a specific niche and comfort zone they like to stay in. It also shows that in some cases a nonsurgical approach will benefit more due to age or the risks involved in performing an operation [A].