Week 5

This week I continued shadowing Dr. Cross in the O. R., seeing a bunch of hip and knee surgeries. There was an interesting case that patient suffered from severe dislocation of the knee prosthesis. Based on the X-ray image, the distal femur part and the tibia part are completely mismatched on median plane and frontal plane. Since the patient have stayed on wheelchair and bent her knees for over six months before the procedure, huge amount of scar tissue and necrosis tissue have developed surrounding the implants making her knee completely frozen. On that revision surgery, Dr. Cross mainly performed debridement and replace the polyethylene part of the prosthesis; as there will be a second surgery follow up to anchor the implants to prevent the secondary dislocation.

Wednesday is another clinic day that we meet over 50 patients. Since most cases are surgery follow ups, it goes through one after another very fast as most patient are super satisfied with the result. Seeing smiles blossom on patients’ faces and hearing their gratitude towards the doctor, there is a moment that I feel jealousy of being a doctor for the those great opportunity to save people’s live and receive their respect. Such feelings last till the second day when I am shadowing Dr. Spector on his clinic duty. An over-80-year-old patient recently receiving astrocytoma surgery have been suffering tremendously from the infection on the wound and low healing rate due to the chemotherapy. In such a complication, even Dr. Spector is incapable for a secondary surgery to release the pain. Despite of many comforting words from doctor, it is clear to see the sorrow on her face and the fading away of the hope from the eyes. After we leave the exam room, Dr. Spector speaks in a low voice, ”there is zero chance of recovery, zero. ” It could be the best job; it could be the worst job.