I really enjoyed today. I constantly enjoy shadowing Dr. Butzen, but doing little things to help him out is so exciting! Over the course of this internship I've slowly gained his trust and reliability, and I can definitely see an improvement in his trust in me over these weeks. I've done little things, like getting suture kits for him or cleaning up trash, but today I got to spray a local anesthetic on a patient for a cortisone shot, and had the opportunity to remove a pin from a patient's arm. He's also given me the option to remove stitches, although I don't trust myself with something so detailed quite yet.
Also, I got to see a leg AMPUTATION post-op! I've never had the chance to see one up close or ask questions about it, and I would consider this appointment one of the highlights of my internship thus far. This patient had a below-the-knee amputation due to infection, and was three weeks post-op at this visit. He was in great spirits and his wound was healing quite well. His knee is practically back to normal, but will be on pain medication for several more months, at least.
What's even more interesting is that HE GOT TO KEEP THE LEG (for religious reasons). It's cremated now, but that's still pretty awesome.
Also, I got to see a leg AMPUTATION post-op! I've never had the chance to see one up close or ask questions about it, and I would consider this appointment one of the highlights of my internship thus far. This patient had a below-the-knee amputation due to infection, and was three weeks post-op at this visit. He was in great spirits and his wound was healing quite well. His knee is practically back to normal, but will be on pain medication for several more months, at least.
What's even more interesting is that HE GOT TO KEEP THE LEG (for religious reasons). It's cremated now, but that's still pretty awesome.
Today I saw...
-Pre-ops for wrist hardware removal, foot fracture, rotator cuff tear, 2 wrist bone removals, 2 carpal tunnel releases, and a triple trigger finger release
-Follow-ups on an infection removal, broken radius, lower leg amputation, and an ulnar nerve release
-Finger hemangeoma (a type of lump on hand)
-Knee arthritis treatment plan
-Knee cortisone shot
-Unfortunate ladder accident diagnosis
-Undiagnosed wrist pain
-Hand and wrist nerve 'trauma' (no recollection of recent accident), undiagnosed
-5 pins (total) removed from both forearms
-Pre-ops for wrist hardware removal, foot fracture, rotator cuff tear, 2 wrist bone removals, 2 carpal tunnel releases, and a triple trigger finger release
-Follow-ups on an infection removal, broken radius, lower leg amputation, and an ulnar nerve release
-Finger hemangeoma (a type of lump on hand)
-Knee arthritis treatment plan
-Knee cortisone shot
-Unfortunate ladder accident diagnosis
-Undiagnosed wrist pain
-Hand and wrist nerve 'trauma' (no recollection of recent accident), undiagnosed
-5 pins (total) removed from both forearms