Also known as: Ruptured spleen
Polly sustained a grade-3 splenic injury from the glider plane crash. The team initially chose conservative management with observation, but her spleen ruptured during observation, requiring emergency surgery.
Also known as: Tear in the aorta
During surgery for her ruptured spleen, Polly developed a sudden aortic dissection that compromised feeder vessels to her spinal cord at L-4, resulting in permanent paraplegia from the waist down. This complication drives a central ethical conflict about whether the decision to wait contributed to the outcome.
Also known as: Paralysis
Polly becomes paralyzed from the waist down due to spinal cord damage at L-4 caused by the aortic dissection compromising blood flow to the spinal cord. This is irreversible and creates emotional drama as her husband is also paraplegic.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
Polly presented with fluid in the chest and dropping oxygen saturation requiring emergency chest tube placement in the ER.
Also known as: EDS
Alex and Richard diagnose Emma, a college student repeatedly coming to the clinic for hangover symptoms, with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She was misdiagnosed as an alcoholic when her symptoms (dehydration, joint hypermobility, easy bruising, fainting) were actually manifestations of this rare connective tissue disorder.
Also known as: Dislocated shoulder
Emma dislocates her shoulder when trying to leave the clinic, which Richard reduces. This event helps reveal her underlying Ehlers-Danlos syndrome due to her joint hypermobility.
Also known as: Infection
A clinic patient presents with an infected abscess requiring incision and drainage. This case highlights Alex's limited authority in the clinic and creates workplace tension.
Also known as: Facial cut
Daniel sustained superficial facial lacerations in the glider plane crash, which were treated in the ER.
Also known as: Paralysis
Daniel reveals he has been paraplegic for three years from a previous injury. This pre-existing condition creates emotional resonance when his wife becomes paralyzed in the crash.