ment he experienced during his residency. "You were expected to suf-
fer to become a surgeon." When residents graduate to their own prac-
tices, many expect their stress and pain to decrease, but for many, it
just gets progressively worse, he adds.
Dr. Nichol scales 100 flights of stairs a day. He practices yoga. He
gets physical therapy for his right hip, neck and lower back. Still, his
legs ache after every day of surgery. His right hip hurts, too. "I don't
know what's wrong with it," he says. "It's been bugging me for eight
years. When I was younger, I could ignore the pain while I was operat-
ing. Now it's getting harder and harder to do that."
He talks about extending careers as an athlete would, noting how
LeBron James devotes a significant chunk of his earnings to maintain
his body. He believes surgeons should approach their musculoskeletal
health similarly.
"We've got to train, eat
and think like athletes.
It's a physical thing
we're doing. I'm only
52 years old and I
train. I'm working on
my legs, back, shoul-
ders and neck to keep
them strong. And I'm
still having physical
problems."
Surgical facilities
should take a long-term
view of their talent,
says Dr. Nichol. His
surgical department
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 7
STOP THE HURT
WHILE YOU WORK
ERGONOMIC FLUID MANAGEMENT MAT
Our 3-D design relieves pressure
and absorbs shock to promote
proper circulation. It diminishes
knee, leg, back and foot discomfort
while standing for long periods
during procedures.
Open grid allows fl uids to fl ow
through the mat onto an
absorbent pad.
ABSORBENT PAD NOT INCLUDED
• Waterproof/bacteria-resistant
• Made from closed cell EVA
• Promotes blood circulation
• Prevents numbness
• Expendable / Limited Use
NEW!
GelProMedical.com
For additional information & other
ergonomic anti-fatigue mat options,
contact Will Jones.
willj@letsgel.com |
(
512
)
628-1704
18"x 27"
BREATHABLE
MASSAGING COMFORT
