POTD of sorts, however did not involve my workspace but it did require me to be there with tools being used on me. Back story, last November I had my left shoulder and all associated tendons repaired leading to a very painful recovery for the first 7-8 weeks. By mid-January, I was able to do a little more for myself and while in the shower I noticed/felt a small pointy lump over the anterior/lateral portion of my left clavicle. I see my Orthopedic once per month since October and addressed it with him during my January visit. He really wasn't too concerned at the time and stated it was the head of one of two "pins" (screws) used to secure the Acronym witch had been remodeled (reduced) clearance for those tendons running under it. By February the swelling had gone down and the lump was now .625 in hight forming a cone base of .750+. It also became more painful with the use of a seatbelt, backpack or any other strap that came in contact with the area. He wanted to leave it in for six months to allow the area to heal and calcify as one. Well, after requesting to see the x-rays, I was left scratching my head as to why he used a screw that was clearly much longer compared to the screw that was driven in next to it. He stated the screw was backing out yada, yada ...
Yesterday I went in to have the "BOLT" removed and was prepared for some pain afterwords but to my surprise I didn't have enough discomfort to warrant any medication. Surprising to me since he asked me if I needed any Oxycodone at my Pre-Op a week ago. I stopped taking those damn things at week 5 as they made me sick and "plugged up".
Orthoscopic (closed surgery) has its place IMO, but lacks the "over view" of work preformed to an area that requires multiple repairs. My surgeon is not a rookie by any means as his exam room walls are filled with certifications and accolades specializing in Orthoscopics. Like any professions, sometimes we need to think "outside the box", We do do this throughout the day in our lives and in our shops. When you try to engage this conversation with Surgeons, they look at you like your a knuckelhead. His last words to me at the Pre-Op "bring your insurance card and $500 deductible" My replay was "I want the screw". He said "why"? I responded that it was going to be screwed into my shop wall next to the alarm panel, this way I could remind myself " NOT TO DO ANYTHING STUPID" (including using the correct hardware heheheh) resulting in a injury.
The screw: T-W2YGE4- ACE-36mm (1.417")
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I share this as a reminder to all that we need to ask more questions from strangers that preform invasive procedures on us and love ones. If you have non-typical tears, ruptures or other damage, then perhaps an open surgery is a better option BTW, my Bicep rupture repair (what brought me in to the ER) failed 3 week post surgery.
Food for thought....If you had your truck/car in to a trusted mechanic for an engine rebuild and after the work you notice poor performance. You confirm the compression is low and take it back in. They admit they used the wrong piston rings and have the balls to charge you again. Why do MD's have the right to do this to us. In the end, It was my choice to have the screw removed as he recommended I live with it. The problem is I have four years left in my firefighting career and the SCBA pack would not allow me to focus on the task at had without distracting pain.
Take charge of your health my friends!
Turn and burn.
Paco
