Hi everyone,
I've been treating a patient who was stabbed in the hand. When I first saw him, he was in a lot of pain and my tutor just showed me how to move his hand and educated about his functional return. I was asked to see him again in the arvo.My tutor asked me to really push this man to do his exercises even with a lot of pain - as he lectured about neuroplasticity.
When I went to see him and asked to move his fingers, he was in little pain. I looked at the med chart and noticed that he had pain killers only 1/2 hour ago. As he tried to move more, his pain increased. I gave him regular breaks so that the pain subsided and i could begin the exercises again.
At some point, the patient was starting to become agitated and distracted (especially because there were 3 other visitors in the room staring at me). So I said I will come back. I went back quite discouraged about how I didn't achieve much on the first day.
I tried again the second day - boy - was the movement better. He started to make a full-fist. He was in less agony and this prolonged the treatment session so I could do more work with him.
Third day was even better. Second day - he hated the sight of me - The physiotherapy department person. But third day - he was actually happy to see me and was showing me how much movement he has.
Boy - has this been an experience! It took three days for this individual to realise that I was there to help him and not break his hand. And it also took me 3 days to realise that there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!
So be encouraged my fellow peers/colleagues.
Sashi.
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2 comments:
Hi Sashi,
I have had similar experiences in having patients with high levels of pain. At first I felt really bad for getting the patients to do movements that made the pain worse. Having had no experience of people with such severe pain before, I wasn’t very confident that preserving despite the pain was the best thing, even though I knew how important movement was.
But, like you I’ve seen how important it is to teach the patient to push through pain sometimes. It’s really rewarding when the patient feels better a few days later and attributes this to the work you’ve done.
Mel
Hi Sashi,
It's really important to constantly remind ourselves that most pathologies run it's normal biological healing processes. And that miracles do not happen right away. I find it hard myself trying to explain the causes of their pain, and how they can cope with it- especially when they are in pain. I believe the most important thing is reassurance, and to tell them it will take time, but that it will go away.
Well done! Good on ya Sashi!
Mark
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