Traditional Recovery Methods Don’t Involve a Triccorder
Orthopedic surgeons have always monitored a patient’s recovery following a procedure. Unfortunately, technology hasn’t existed to allow a doctor to scan a patient with a Tricorder, like those in Star Trek. These usually involve follow-up visits to the orthopedic physician. During the visits the doctor evaluates a number of things including the type and amount of pain, range of motion, any numbness or tingling, the presence of weakness in the surgical area, medications you are taking, and the stability of any replaced joint. Of course some of the things that are evaluated during a follow-up visits can be subjective to the patient. Occasionally a problem that is not causing any symptoms, or is hidden, can slip by during the visit. Some recent technological advances are helping physicians to better evaluate a patient’s condition following an orthopedic surgery.
