WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY PATIENTS CUBITAL TUNNEL RELEASE: Part II The Challenge

PART II: The Challenge

Last week in Part I: The Scar, I spoke about what I learned from my patients’ Cubital Tunnel Release.  In Part I, I went into detail about scars and revisiting difficult times. In life we develop scars, from past experiences, pains and hurts. Each are piercing reminders of our journey. As in surgery, the scar or memory needs to be marked out and examined. In Part II, I embark on an examination of The Challenge, diving deep into what it takes to face the challenge and to ultimately conquer it.

In my patient’s surgery once I moved past the scar, I immediately found myself in the real challenge of the surgery. As an orthopaedic surgeon, while in difficult situations, I don’t lose control, I stick to The Basics. Slowing down while taking my time to sticking to the basics does not make me less of a surgeon.  Sometimes this means drawing from what I learned as an intern in my first year of residency; which  requires both maturity and humility. A solution to any challenge, whatever it may be in life, is built upon the foundation of The Basics. Here are the following three steps I take when I encounter surgical challenges. 

Step 1: Know The Anatomy

When I lean upon the foundation of anatomy and use its building blocks, complex problems are easily broken down into simple problems.

Step 2: Never Take The Anatomy For Granted

I am mindful to never get cocky in the challenge. Stay focused on the task at hand as if I was the patient lying on the operating table and my life depended on a successful operation. The human anatomy can be aberrant, things can change. Assuming that things will always be the same is the surest way to get myself in a bind. In surgery, this could be making a presumptive move, such as cutting through a bed of tissue that I assume may be scar, but rather unexpectantly, it can contain within the scar bed vital structures (nerves, arteries, tendons).

Step 3: Move with Knowledge, Precision and Anticipatory Caution

As a surgeon, cutting into the wrong area can lead to negative results. Therefore, I do my due diligence, I research prior to cases, develop a plan, and execute with precision. I operate in the present, but I think two steps ahead. I move forward multiple backup plans. In orthopaedic training we often say, “measure twice, cut once”. Yet, even with a strong foundation, I always move forward with an anticipatory caution.  

Even when going back to The Basics and moving through a challenge, the task itself can feel large and insurmountable. How do I conquer large or complex challenges? I break them down into smaller conquerable challenges. In a surgery this could mean visualizing the surgical field per cubic centimeter of where I am operating. This mental process allows me to engage the scarred area meticulously and eventually get to the decisive part of the case. The anticipation of this moment helps to process the actions needed to bring about a favorable procedure. It is the acknowledgement of the difficulty that becomes the fuel to keep pushing through. In order to arrive at the apex of any challenge, like climbing a mountain, I must first conquer the steepest part of the journey.

In order to arrive at the apex of any challenge, like climbing a mountain, I must first conquer the steepest part of the journey.

~Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew

It is easy to linger where there is no challenge at the bottom of the mountain. As a surgeon, when I get to the steepest part of the climb or challenge, there is no room for uncertainty, this is the time to soldier through. I remember my training, I stay focused, while sticking to The Basics. Ultimately, I persevere.  

Dr. Bilbrew is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon and a Hand and Upper Extremity Specialist with Resurgens Orthopaedics . Her offices are located conveniently in Decatur, GA and Snellville, GA. Appointments can be made online or via phone call 770-491-3003. No referrals are needed to be seen. Same day appointment are available.