I had the usual workload in the outpatient clinic and two hydrotherapy sessions which I assisted with (I have a small patient case load to look after in the pool). There were two new clinical highlights / activities I participated in this week - pre-op hip replacement education class and an education class for the use of TENS at home.
I was able to attend a pre-op hip replacement education class over one lunch break. The class essentially described some anatomy and the hip prosthesis they surgically insert into the hip, the post-operative plan starting at day zero (day of the surgery) to discharge on the second or third day post-op, the precautions and devices they can use at home to assist daily activities and for mobilising. Walking aids were issued and techniques for using them were taught at the end of the session.
The TENS class was held on the maternity ward. The physiotherapy department issues TENS machines for females to ease the pain of labour. Before they are issued, the recipients have to attend an information session on how to use them and how TENS works. I got to lead the section on how TENS works and be the model for how to apply the TENS machine to the body. TENS is a very soothing modality, I would have been happy to keep wearing it all day!
Friday was my last session in ED. Next week on Friday I'll be writing up discharge summaries and hand-overs for my supervisor to continue treatments. Anyway, today I spent the morning shadowing and helping my supervisor on the medical ward - they were a bit short staffed. The afternoon in ED was ankle injury after ankle injury and no fractures in sight. In between patients I finished off the information sheet (some adjustments were needed) on gout (I've attached it to a previous week in this rotation).
I was fortunate to sit in on a hand therapy appointment this week too. The person had their extensor pollicis longus tendon replaced by their extensor indicis tendon... basically this means the muscle that lifts the second finger now lifts the thumb. Odd, but cool.
Nelson light festival was on this weekend. According to their website, it is run every two years. It showcases an amazing array of light exhibits and performances. So much art and culture spanning a couple of blocks - Queens gardens and NMIT campus. Artworks included set pieces made of recycled bottles (see the tap and the ocean images below), glow in the dark / illuminated pieces from children in the Nelson community, projected textures on buildings to give the building a completely different appearance, fire dancers, a techno-light performance 'Neon Robot' (the tune is still in my head!!), and more!! It's free, and very popular. A wonderful excuse to get out this winter. P.s. this doesn't feel like winter (Dunedin is much colder!!)
I also went with my flatmate up to the summit of Mt Arthur, 1795m altitude in Nelson's great backyard. Took us just over 3h to reach the top.
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