The patient is 5 days postorthopaedic surgery and all is well. You have taken care of hundreds of routine, elective orthopaedic surgical patients. The patient comes into the hospital or surgical center, has surgery, and then goes home. In most cases, all goes well. It is one of the things that is attractive to orthopaedic nurses. It is very rewarding to be part of the healthcare team that helps restore a patient to an active lifestyle.
Being cognizant that unusual events are possible even in the most routine patient situations is something that should be considered at times. Singisetti, in his article, "Postoperative Acute Compartment Syndrome in the Nonoperated 'Well Leg': Implications to Orthopaedic Nursing," discusses the unusual event of a compartment syndrome occurring in a limb that had not undergone a surgical procedure or sustained any trauma.
We are familiar with the complications that are possible following orthopaedic surgery: implant failure, fractures, dislocations, deep vein thrombosis, infection, blood loss, failure of bone healing or fusion, leg length inequality or weakness, neurologic injury, vascular injury, to name some of them. As orthopaedic nurses, we look for these potential problems and make every effort to prevent them from occurring. But what about the unusual?
In their article "Necrotizing Fasciitis: Early Detection May Save Your Patient's Limb," Astorino et al discuss another unusual but potentially catastrophic complication. As the authors discuss, necrotizing fasciitis can occur not only following trauma or surgical procedures but also secondary to much less invasive problems such as a bug bite or small sore. This is another demonstration that the unusual can occur when it is least expected.
How do we as orthopaedic nurses keep a keen eye to untoward or unusual events when in the majority of encounters all goes well "without a hitch"? What keeps us from becoming complacent and believing that everything will be just fine in every case?
Singisetti and Astornio et al have demonstrated the need for astute attention to every complaint that a patient may describe and some that the patient may not even verbalize. Participating in continuing education on an ongoing basis is one way for each of us to continue to learn and be "refreshed" about the work that we do.
Fortunately, orthopaedic nurses have many avenues to keep abreast of the specialty including reading Orthopaedic Nursing, attending regional conferences and chapter meetings, and most importantly participating in the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses Annual Congress. Any one of these educational opportunities will help each of us from becoming complacent in the work that we do. Attending the annual meeting offers the opportunity to become reenergized. During these uncertain times where there seems to be a new problem that arises everyday, it is essential that we take care of who we are and what we do. There is no better way to do that than to attend our next annual Congress to be held in Tampa, Florida, May 16-20, 2009. I know that I am looking forward to a break, new knowledge, and connecting with old friends. Stop by the Orthopaedic Nursing booth and let us discuss with you ways that you can become part of next year's list of authors for your journal. I hope to see you in Tampa!!