Hand dexterity and fine movements

[MBA_Doc]

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Folks -

To make a long story short, if all goes according to plan, I will be done with a surgical residency when I'm 48. (I'll be starting MS when I'm 38).

Question to you folks - I love surgery, and I'd love to be a surgeon. However......I need to be realistic. At 48, I'm not sure if I'll be capable of sustaining the precise and delicate hand movements that neurosurgeons or microsurgeons need to have.

What are the more realistic surgical specialties for me?

e.g. General Surg, Orthopedic (??)

What about ENT?

Thank you


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[Johnny69]

Originally posted by MBA_Doc
Folks -

To make a long story short, if all goes according to plan, I will be done with a surgical residency when I'm 48. (I'll be starting MS when I'm 38).

Question to you folks - I love surgery, and I'd love to be a surgeon. However......I need to be realistic. At 48, I'm not sure if I'll be capable of sustaining the precise and delicate hand movements that neurosurgeons or microsurgeons need to have.

What are the more realistic surgical specialties for me?

e.g. General Surg, Orthopedic (??)

What about ENT?

Thank you


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HAHAHAHAHAHA LMAO @ YOU!!!! PATHETIC! hahahahahha

::falls off chair in laughter!::

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,

I am and my attendings are older than you and we have no problems with microsurgery or performing fine movements. All surgical techniques take practice and honing. One simply has to learn to operate under a scope or with loupes. The more you perform a procedure the greater your manual dexterity. There is no difference between my performance and the performance of residents who are younger. We are all learning. If you love surgery as I love surgery, you should pursue it. Far more important than manual dexterity is good patient care, work ethic and surgical judgement. These skills cannot be taught and are far more important to your career than what you will do with your hands.

njbmd😎

 

[md03]

I started med school at 38, now am a PGY 1 in surgery.

Truthfully, that thought never occured to me thoughout the process. In fact, I never worried about how my age might limit me in any way. I knew I could do it, and pursued it actively.

Attendings keep going til in their 60's or beyond.

It has been my experience to date that nearly everyone experiences fine hand tremor, at least sometimes, with delicate work. You learn techniques to stabilize your self.

Don't let little things deter you! (heck, one of our attendings had a spine injury many years ago, walks with a cane and a pronounce limp. Still does surgery, and although limited to doing cases that can be done primarily sitting down, and is a very happy and fulfilled person plus a great teacher)