Reflection on the Pathophysiology Assignment

A reflection on my thoughts about the pathopysiology assignment.

The assignment for the module Pathophysiology of Injury and Disease required me to complete a critical review of literature and compare stages of tissue repair (Haemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation and Tissue Remodelling). We were able to follow our interests with regards to which structure we focussed on. I compared the inflammatory and remodelling phases of repair in Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) injury. My interest sparked as SDFT tears are most prevalent, accounting for 75-93% of all tendon injuries in racehorses (Kasashima et al, 2004), and 46% of all competition horses incur injury (Boswell et al, 2003; Kold and Dyson, 2003; Misheff, 2003). SDFT is also the most common reason for competition horse wastage (Thorpe et al, 2010), and has a high chance of re-injury (Kitchener, 2012). Thus, understanding the pathophysiology of its healing is key in optimising advice and treatment as a veterinary physiotherapist.

This assignment proved very challenging, as a great depth of knowledge was needed to fully understand the stages of tissue healing before a critical comparison could be made. There were times I felt extremely stressed and anxious, especially when trying to keep within the 1500 word limit. I recognise I am a visual learner (Silverman, 2002), and the use of images and videos are most useful for me to understand concepts. With this in mind, before starting my assignment I watched multiple YouTube videos where the lecturer also illustrated processes occurring. I drew the processes myself to consolidate my knowledge, and this gave me enough understanding to then complete a critical review.

Through completing this assignment I identified my main weakness for assignments is critical writing. Even after understanding the pathophysiology, and reading a vast array of journal articles, books and websites, I struggled to establish my own critical analysis which is something I am aware I need to improve for masters level study.

I felt pleased with my assignment once it was finished, as I knew I had put in maximum time and effort. My reference list was vast, and it was the first time I had done such an in-depth literature review. So although my critical writing was not as strong, I have already developed my literature reviewing skills through doing this assignment.

Although at times I became very stressed and anxious through doing this assignment, on the whole I found it very interesting. The knowledge I have established and skills I have developed throughout will support me in my future assignments and work once qualified. I now feel, once working as a veterinary physiotherapist, I will choose treatment modalities and advise carefully in line with my understanding of tendon healing.

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References

Boswell RP, Mitchell RD, Ober TR, Benoit PH, Miler CB and Dyson SJ (2003). Lameness in the Show Hunter and Show Jumper. In: Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. Saint Louis: Saunders, pp. 965–975.

Kold SE and Dyson SJ (2003). Lameness in the Dressage Horse. In: Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. Saint Louis: Saunders, pp. 975–983.

Kasashima Y, Takahashi T, Smith RK, Goodship AE, Kuwana A, Ueno T and Hirano S (2004). Prevalence of superficial digital flexor tendonitis and suspensory desmitis in Japanese Thoroughbred flat racehorses in 1999. Equine Veterinary Journal. 36(4), pp. 346-350.

Kitchener N (2012). A long road to recovery: tendon and ligament injuries. Horse Canada. [online] Available at: https://horse-canada.com/magazine_articles/a-long-road-to-recovery-tendon-and-ligament-injuries/ [Accessed: 1 February 2018].

Misheff MM (2003). Lameness in Endurance Horses. In: Ross MW and Dyson SJ. eds. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. Saint Louis: Saunders, pp. 996–1002.

Silverman LK (2002). Upside-down brilliance: The visual-spatial learner. Denver, CO: Deleon Publishing.

Thorpe C. Clegg P and Birch H (2010). A review of tendon injury: Why is the equine superficial digital flexor tendon most at risk? Equine Veterinary Journal. 42(2), pp. 174-180.