Week Five

Situation: I was given the opportunity to witness an Ilizarov frame on a 37-year-old male who sustained a complex comminuted fracture to his tibia and fibula following a motorcycle accident 6 weeks prior. The Ilizarov frame was being used for fixation of the tibia and fibula until he underwent a bone graft. He had the frame for 4 weeks and it was being removed within the next week.

Task: I mainly watched and maintained professional behaviour during the treatment, but I was also allowed to apply ankle mobilisations to increase ankle range of motion and reduce stiffness

Action: I performed ankle mobilisations to the joint. However, as I performed the mobilisations, my hand was hitting the frame, as well as some pin sites beginning to bleed and seep fluid. I had to sit down in the treatment room after my supervisor took over in order to gain my composure as I was feeling nauseas and overwhelmed from the appearance of the frame and the pin sites

Result: There was ultimately greater range of motion at the joint, and I maintained my composure throughout the remainder of the session.

Evaluation: I felt I maintained professional behaviour during the session despite feeling overwhelmed and somewhat disgusted by the bleeding of the pin sites. I was able to remain professional particularly on first seeing the frame as I was shocked, but I remained composed. I also could’ve excused myself from the room if I couldn’t handle it, but I don’t feel it reached that level, as I felt fine within a few minutes.

Strategies: I feel I employed strategies to maintain an adequate level of professional behaviour during the session and was able to successfully apply treatment techniques in a professional manner despite feeling overwhelmed by the appearance of the frame, as opposed to the task. After witnessing the frame, I feel I am more prepared to see similar forms of fixation without feeling as overwhelmed.