Hands of a Surgeon

[haeriphos]

I've always wondered how truthful it is that surgeons have to have extremely steady hands to do their job, and how that would apply to being a surgical PA. I'm Pre-PA at the moment but considering the different specialties; emergency medicine and surgery are the two that interest me the most. Unfortunately, I have essential tremors but control it with propranolol. For the most part my hands remain still but they can act up from time to time.

 

Based on the duties of a surgical PA, would this be a reason to consider another specialty? To put the amount of shaking into perspective, it's comparable to having about three too many cups of coffee.

 

~H

[Ames100]

It depends what kind of surgery you want to do. For example, ortho might be better for you than CT. I can tell you that in CT Surg, you have to sew very tiny vessels with suture that is finer than a human hair, and when the surgeon across from you is watching you do it through his high-magnification loupes, even the smallest tremor seems huge! But there is alot more to surgery than steady hands - managing pts in the ICU and floor, seeing consults and follow-ups in clinic, etc, etc. Much of first assisting (in specialties other than neurosurg and CT) does not require super-fine hand control. I would advise that you sign up for some surgical rotations and try to get in the OR so you can see how you do. You will mostly be retracting, but if you can get someone to let you suture a bit, that should give you an idea if it's going to be a problem. All of us have a tremor at one point or another, depending on the day (even the best surgeons!), so don't let that single thing deter you from trying out surgery. And again, ortho surg requires very little in the way of fine movements - your tremor probably would go unnoticed most of the time! Best of luck to you-

Amy

[Guest lisnek]

it depends on how much Starbucks they've had, too

 

i bet you would be just fine.

[EMEDPA]

It depends what kind of surgery you want to do. For example, ortho might be better for you than CT. I can tell you that in CT Surg, you have to sew very tiny vessels with suture that is finer than a human hair, and when the surgeon across from you is watching you do it through his high-magnification loupes, even the smallest tremor seems huge! But there is alot more to surgery than steady hands - managing pts in the ICU and floor, seeing consults and follow-ups in clinic, etc, etc. Much of first assisting (in specialties other than neurosurg and CT) does not require super-fine hand control. I would advise that you sign up for some surgical rotations and try to get in the OR so you can see how you do. You will mostly be retracting, but if you can get someone to let you suture a bit, that should give you an idea if it's going to be a problem. All of us have a tremor at one point or another, depending on the day (even the best surgeons!), so don't let that single thing deter you from trying out surgery. And again, ortho surg requires very little in the way of fine movements - your tremor probably would go unnoticed most of the time! Best of luck to you-

Amy

 

most ortho procedures can be done with craftsman tools from sears by a woodshop teacher so don't stress too much about ortho:eek::p:D

[caldje]

in cardiothoracic it is true... you need steady hands as a PA or MD.

 

but the previous poster is right. it is easy to steady your hands by minimizing caffeine, eating breakfast etc. But having shaky hands make cardiac surgery difficult for you and the surgeon you are working with.

 

 

chris

[haeriphos]

Thank you everyone for the great responses. I'm glad to hear that I'm not necessarily out of the running for some sort of surgery position. I'll make sure to request some surgery rotations when the time comes.

 

Thanks again!

[Guest amckneel]

I just left a job doing cardiac surgery...I have shaky hands and did great!...I just found ways to control it by steadying my hands when sewing and a few other things....I also tried not to drink caffeine...you'll be fine :)

[Gordon, PA-C]

The idea that you must have stone cold steady hands to do surgery is a myth that needs to die. Obviously if you have a problem you need to train yourself to keep it to a minimum. I've heard of some people using relaxation techniques before surgery to help them.

[CornellSPA]

I worked with a surgeon who was really getting on in his years and he developed a slight active and resting tremor, so he actually let me do most of the delicate work while he followed by sutures and sucked smoke.

 

I too have had a slight tremor when very tired or adrenal glands are pouring out alot of adrenaline, but resting my hand on the patient lightly seemed to help!!

[dzntz]

I would have to agree with not needing the steadiest of hands. I work in CVS and have a slight tremor which will increase when nervous. I still sew half of the proximals without a problem. I tried propanolol as well. To me it was the same with or without it. I cut out strenous exercise and nicotine which helped. To me the secret is learning to brace your hands on something when doing delicate tasks. Good luck!

[DJ Bunnell MSHS PA-C]

Also, avoid pseudofed.

[ventana]

humm

one of my supervising doc's shakes like an 18wheeler going down a dirt road and yet can sew and do things amazing. Other has rock steady hands that couldn't feel a rock......

 

Me - somewhere in between but have learned great technique to be steady - ALWAYS ground against the patient for stability - don't get tense, breath......

[Chronic Student]

I do neurosurg and don't have the steadiest of hands and drink coffee every morning.

 

The thing is, when you are really into a case and concentrating it rarely seems to be a problem because you are so focused.

 

Just my .02

[ExtremelyBeyond]

There are techniques you can use to make your hand more steady. However if you're generally a putz- surgery probably isn't a good choice for you.

 

Also "LOL" at pseudofed.

[problem child]

probably a good idea to stay away from eye surgery too :O

[greenmood]

Ortho would be great. I was allowed to hammer my merry way through those surgeries on clinicals, and the docs did not give two ****s about how the suture/staple line looked at the end. LOL. Fun times. Total jerks, and you need a thick skin (especially if you're a woman), but fun times all the same.

[whoRyou]

probably a good idea to stay away from eye surgery too :O

HAHA LOL This reminds me of something I just read http://doccartoon.blogspot.com/2013/07/dr-orthochick-suturing.html

[kthornton]

You guys are making me feel better!  I think eventually I would like to do CT surgery, but unfortunately I don't have the steadiest of hands.  I don't have anything that needs to be controlled with medication, but all the women in my family (mother, aunt, grandmother) all have/had tremors and I think I'm psyching myself out early on (I'm 23).  I got accepted into UAB's surgical program and love surgery, but am I making a mistake since my hands aren't always the steadiest?

[delco714]

Just dermanbond everything

[delco714]

Just dermanbond everything

Also to above.. our urology team in Maine has a elective surgery rotation offered at uab. My colleague is an alumni :)