A Picture is Worth 1000 Words... and Maybe Even $1000
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Published: Veterinary Practice News. July 2019 Vol 31, No 7, Pg 36
Author(s): "Amanda Hoffmeyer"
Discover the clinical and financial benefits a stance analyzer brings to practice, including earlier lameness detection, easier communication with clients, and treatment plan compliance..
We have all heard the adage, "A picture is worth 1,000 words:' Whether you are a clinician or a pet owner, visual proof has an incredible way of influencing behavior. Have you ever tried to explain the complexities of a condition to a pet owner without the visual aid of a radiograph? If you have, chances are you encountered several challenges: perhaps the pet owner didn't understand, or perhaps they didn't believe you, or ultimately, they might not have moved forward with the treatment their pet so badly needed.
Technological advancements have allowed us access to more sophisticated tools to help tell clients the story of their pet's pain. One of the most powerful tools you have access to is sitting next to you on your desk right now-your smartphone. Have you ever taken a slow-motion video of a pet to assess their gait? If you haven't, start today-you will be amazed at what you can see (and show a pet owner) with a 10-second slow-motion walk in your clinic's parking lot.
So now you have the slow-motion gait video from your phone ... what's next? What other inexpensive tools can help paint the picture for the client, more narrowly identify the site of pain in their pet, and ultimately support your recommendation for a plan of care? Let's dig into Marshall's story to find out.
Narrowing in on the pain
Your patient's gait seems off. You walked Marshall through the parking lot and something is just not right with him. You took a slow-motion video that revealed Marshall appears to be leaning to the left side and may be slightly lame on the right front leg. The longer he walks, the more pronounced his slight limp becomes. At a standstill, Marshall's left front leg appears to tremble occasionally. The pet owner, Sarah, sees the subtle changes you are talking about from the video and agrees to further investigation.
Since you don't have a gait analysis mat in your clinic, due to expense and significant space requirements, you decide to put Marshall on your Companion Stance Analyzer. The Stance Analyzer shows objective weight-bearing data from a standstill. It requires a fraction of the space (and cost) of the gait walkway mat and has the added benefit of continuing your visual storytelling journey.
As Marshall stands on the mat, several readings of his weight-bearing are taken. Sarah watches the computer screen as Marshall's weight-bearing percentages per limb change in real time-she can see something is happening and she is interested. When his samples are captured, Marshall sits next to Sarah, who patiently waits for his report. Within seconds, Marshall's visual weight-bearing results are displayed on the computer screen. You show Sarah he is shifting weight off his right front leg and placing more weight on the contralateral forelimb, which explains why his left front leg is doing so much extra work and trembling in the slow-motion video you took. The puzzle pieces are starting to come together. You print his report and hand it to Sarah to keep. Sarah and Marshall are guided to the exam room for further examination and workup.
Justifying the radiograph
Sarah sits with Marshall in the exam room for a few minutes while she waits for the doctor, Stance Analyzer report in hand. As she watches Marshall mill around the room, she's pretty sure she can now see the issue with his right front leg, too. She looks at the report and resolves to help her sweet Marshall feel better-this is proof that he's hurting. When you find Marshall has some reduced range of motion and crepitus in his right elbow, and suggest the next step to uncover what's going on with him is to perform a quick radiograph, Sarah quickly agrees.
Proving the need for the plan of care
The radiograph shows radiographic changes in Marshall's right elbow consistent with osteoarthritis, another visual you show Sarah to help her understand what you are seeing. You discuss pain management recommendations for Marshall, including medication, plateletrich plasma (PRP), laser therapy, and rehabilitation exercises for his arthritis and secondary muscle pain from weight shifting.
Before Sarah even leaves the clinic, you perform Marshall's first laser therapy session and schedule an appointment for him to return tomorrow for PRP processing and injection.
What was the value of the picture?
Below is Marshall's recommended plan of care that your iPhone video, Stance Analyzer report, orthopedic assessment, and radiographic images were able to support:
$70 Initial exam and orthopedic assessment $15 Stance Analyzer reading
$150 Radiographs
$600 PRP injection
$200 Laser therapy treatment package (6) $200 Medication and other rehabilitation services
$50 Recheck appointment
$1,285 Total
$150 Radiographs
$600 PRP injection
$200 Laser therapy treatment package (6) $200 Medication and other rehabilitation services
$50 Recheck appointment
$1,285 Total
Referral value
Sarah was thrilled with Marshalfs treatment. He didn't have a lot of down time and your early intervention has made him a lot more comfortable. She told all her friends about his treatment, and even showed them pictures of the Stance Analyzer's printout. Based on Sarah's recommendation, you acquired three new clients, one of which you were able to diagnose with having early lameness, just like Marshall. Maybe a picture is worth 1,000 words ... and well over $1,000 dollars.