Gamma Nail – Long vs Short

Short Gamma

Long Gamma

🔨The important thing about these cases are the disposables. The rep will open disposables that will need to be relayed to your circulator. When the rep opens the disposables, they will show them to your circulator & give them the packaging but I was taught to still let them know, “Hey, I have plus one ball tip guidewire or plus one drill bit or plus one k-wire, etc.”

Week 12 as a CST

This week was all ortho except for Tuesday, I did a few general cases. I do enjoy general cases. I’m also starting to really enjoy ortho! The ACLs & knee scopes with meniscal repairs have been a favorite. I’m starting to get better at Gamma Nails so I’m enjoying those more & more. I’m learning their trends & what they’ll need next & am able to be more proactive with helping out with holding the leg or knowing when they’ll need an instrument by what they’re doing. It’s exciting when you start to get familiar with their techniques & can have what they need before they ask for it or when they ask for the wrong thing & you have the right thing in your hand & they’re like, “Yeah, that’s what I meant… thanks!” Always makes me laugh. & they compliment me on knowing what they needed when they didn’t. Makes you feel more confident, too. I’m just trying to learn all the gamma instruments. I can put them all together pretty well & know the order pretty well & when they’ll need a mallet or when to switch the wire driver out for the drill bit, etc. Sometimes the rep will try to tell me what they’re asking for or go to instruct me on how to assemble something & I’ve already got it & he’s like, “Yes, you know what you’re doing. Nice job!” That always feels good, too. I’m getting there!! I think I’m finally comfortable with all the cords & pretty quick with them! I remember when I first started & it took me forever & I was fumbling & might accidentally throw off too much or drop one, etc. Now I can do it super fast & have it all ready for them. I can hold a leg with one hand & dis-assemble & re-assemble an ablader, etc. or grab an instrument sterilly without setting something else down. & it’s always nice when your surgeon or someone else in your room compliments you. There’s nothing worse then feeling like you’re improving or doing well & being told you’re not being effecient enough. I’ve definitely had that previously & it makes you feel so crappy.

Anyways, on to what I did this week & some setup photos!

Week 9 as a CST

With 2 months of orientation down, I’m feeling a lot more confident in the O.R. My communication is getting stronger each day. I’m more confident in setting up. I’m remembering previous cases & what they need next & am able to have most things ready before they ask for it. I’m conquering cords one day at a time! HA. We are getting there.

I was super nervous to start ortho but I think I’ve really been enjoying it. That mini c-arm gets me, though. I struggle to get it draped but am getting better each time.

Having a Rep is really nice because they help you find what you need! They open things up to you that the surgeon will need & they explain what to do with it, etc.