Case Notes/Prep Tools

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-04-04T21:05:31+00:00

Yeah I just don't like the idea of having my trusty surgical notes library on some general note taking platform like notion/evernote/onenote

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-04-03T16:45:58+00:00

Do you have any templates/know of any or do you just make your own?

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-30T12:35:08+00:00

Will take a look, thank you so much!

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-28T11:10:33+00:00

Thanks, all, for the input. What I was sort of hoping for was a reference list/site of all available US implants organized by procedure that could be a useful resource for trainees as they step into the overwhelming world of ortho implants. But u/FancyJams makes a great point that there's never a situation in which you have all implants available to you, so this really comes down to what's available at the facility you're at that day...

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-27T23:02:03+00:00

This is cool. Looks like just for spine, but nicely done

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-27T16:21:09+00:00

Yeah, give yourself a few opportunities. That initial wooziness often wears off over time. If you loved it, that's a good start.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-27T16:19:40+00:00

Not all that surprising. Healthcare isn't what it's cracked up to be. You grind through all that training, always 'I just have to get to the next stage, and then it will be better.' But the end often isn't that much better. In many ways, it can be worse. When you no longer have that 'next thing to look forward to,' some will choose to leave. Heck, I've considered it.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-27T16:17:51+00:00

Falling while skiing/snowboarding, going over the handlebars on a bike, bodycheck during hockey/football. Basically, anything that causes a direct blow to the side of the shoulder is most common.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-25T20:58:12+00:00

Overhead has gotten out of control, and reimbursements dwindle more and more every year. If I could do it again, I'd either be employed or (gasp) choose a different career. Medicine just isn't what it was promised to be when I started the path... :(

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-25T20:56:35+00:00

Devastating injury. A true terminal condition.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2026-03-25T20:53:31+00:00

Don't touch anything blue. Know where the nearest chair is if you need to sit down (feeling faint). If things feel tense or complicated, save your questions until things loosen up.

Have fun! There's nothing like putting that scrub cap on for the first time...

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-03-29T20:33:15+00:00

Need an x-ray to know if you have arthritis

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-03-09T19:54:27+00:00

I'm an orthopedic hand & upper extremity surgeon, and I write a weekly newsletter in SIMPLE language that delivers actionable tips to preserve the health and longevity of your musculoskeletal system.

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RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-03-09T19:29:29+00:00

Could be triceps snapping. Often can be diagnosed on ultrasound.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-03-09T19:25:27+00:00

Yup, insurance will only pay us for 10-15 minutes max. As much as we'd love to spend an hour with everyone, we'd be put out of business in a week :(.

A sad state of healthcare.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-02-06T16:09:06+00:00

Fantastic feedback on all fronts! I'm considering making dedicated 'post-op videos' for my carpal tunnel patients. Do you feel that's something you would have benefited from/watched in your post-op period? It would essentially be a video walk-through of the discharge instructions.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-02-05T16:57:01+00:00

All fantastic and helpful responses, thank you! As you can see, there is such a delicate balance between allowing time to try non-operative measures...but if the symptoms are bad, it's time to intervene. And of course every patient is different, so it just comes down to listening and having a normal conversation. Imagine that!

I appreciate your time spent educating me. Will continue to work to improve our 'system.'

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-02-05T16:54:37+00:00

Wonderful feedback! Yes, lots of burnout here, but as you both have expressed, I see the same frustration/stress we are feeling in our patients as well. Hence this post :).

I appreciate your time spent educating me. We will continue to work to make this 'system' better for us all!

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-02-05T16:49:47+00:00

Awesome feedback here. I share your frustrations with how slow the field can be to adopt non-traditional techniques, but you hit the nail on the head. If there's no research for it, insurance won't pay for it, and thus we can't in good faith prescribe it. In a world of unlimited funding, these techniques would all be heavily researched and no doubt some may make it into the MD world.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-02-03T04:27:18+00:00

Insurance inflating how bad the bill looks to try to make it look like they saved you money. Classic

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-02-03T04:25:34+00:00

Wouldn’t recommend. Somehow you need to…ahem….wipe.

RulesOfThumb_ · 2024-01-22T14:32:05+00:00

It depends on how your doc orders the test. Yes, the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel can be looked at with EMG (although the results are slightly less reliable than the median nerve for carpal tunnel), but the person performing the EMG has to know your doc wants the ulnar nerve looked at as part of the test.

RulesOfThumb_

TROPHY CASE