Diagnose and Treat

Posted on Wed May 7th, 2025 @ 4:34pm by Major T'Ria & Lieutenant Commander Mattys Plaatjes

2,407 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Trillius Prime
Location: Sickbay - USS Meridian
Timeline: Current

::ON::

Plaatjes strode his way through the ship, happy to be out and about. The Engineering crew had been stuck in the maintenance tubes, pouring over maintenance reports and power flow charts, making the ship fit for her voyage out into the stars. For Plaatjes, a tall man that had meant a lot of crouching, crawling and squatting as they worked their way from stem to stern. Walking tall was a welcome change from that.

Smiling at the crewmembers that crossed his path, it was clear he was friendly and approachable and enjoyed interacting with those that came across his path. An unusual Engineer, thought one of the Petty Officers who was waylaid with a conversation about the protein resequencers and a quiz as to how well they were doing. It made him marginally late to his appointment with their Chief Medical Officer for his yearly medical.

'Apologies I'm late, eh,' Plaatjes said as he strode in to Sickbay, 'I, uh, spent too long asking questions of a crewmember ...'

T'Ria looked up from her computer screen and regarded the chief engineer with an arched brow. "Irrelevant. My time is valuable. I ask in the future you respect that." She stood and gestured with her hand for him to take a seat in the chair opposite her desk. She had learned that humans tended to feel more...comfortable in settings where they felt they could converse. Humans were ever talkative creatures...it was a fascinating phenomena. "Please sit. I shall endeavor to be efficient so that you do not fall behind on any further engagements."

Settling down on the chair opposite her, Plaatjes nodded, suitably chastened. 'I'll remember in future, Major. But don't rush through on my account, I don't have anything scheduled after this certification.' He looked around the Sickbay, admiring its clean, antiseptic white lines, and smiled at the medical officer. 'Lovely place you have here. Very different from Engineering.'

T'Ria raised a brow. She had nothing to do with the aesthetics and opened her mouth to say so but remembered that humans often engaged in trivial conversation as part of their cultural mores. Although hard to follow their line of logic in the back and forth at times, she had learned a good deal listening. Listening was much different than actively engaging, however.

"I cannot comment. I have not seen the engineering department on this ship. However, given your position on Meridian, I will accept your observation." She took a moment to study the large man sitting in her cramped office. Plaatjes seemed to take up all the free-space in the small closet-sized space. He was configured so differently from a Vulcan male who skewed more long and lean. It was an interesting comparison.

"Do you have any concerns currently about your health, commander?" T'Ria queried. She had his medical record, but so much nuance was missed if one only used charts to determine patient's health or care needs. It was always best to ask - even if the answers were already known. Oftentimes additional data was discovered during such exchanges.

'A few aches and pains, mostly,' Plaatjes said with an easy smile, 'when I do a shoulder press, or lift a weight above my head like this,' he demonstrated extending his right arm upwards, 'I do have a pain across my shoulder and down my arm. Down the side of my right leg, from the bottom of my back to my knee can get tight too. They're minor niggles, but irritating. I'm sure you understand.' He watched her, fascinated. T'Ria's features were strong, but fine, with sharp cheeks. Though he knew Vulcans were more robust that humans in an Earth-normal atmosphere, their women seemed to be built more delicately than humans. She was also extremely self-assured and no-nonsense, a trait he found refreshing.

T'Ria observed Plaatjes' movement regarding his arm and with an ease that belied the fact that touching others could be an uncomfortable experience--especially humans with their overflowing emotions--she began to gently move his arm, assessing the mobility of it, unaware of his inner thoughts regarding her form. "I will obtain imaging of your shoulder; however, what you describe is consistent with a bursitis at minimum, and possibly a labrium tear up to a rotator cuff injury. I should be able to treat this rather effectively for you. Regarding the muscular tightness, are you stretching appropriately before engaging in physical activities?"

'I believe so,' Plaatjes said. 'But I have been doing the same stretches for the past decade or so. Would they be rendered less effective with ageing?' He allowed her to manipulate his arm, appreciating that it could in fact be uncomfortable to do so. Briefly, he wondered whether or not gloves would prove a sufficient barrier between himself and her in order for her to be more comfortable. 'Should I be doing something different?'

"I would have to assess the specific stretches you perform prior to engaging in physical activity to determine effectiveness, however...sir, have you considered that this could be a sequela of aging and performing duties that are known to cause damage from repetitive actions?"

'It's entirely possible,' Plaatjes conceded. 'Engineering work is carried out in often tight and cramped positions. I'm sure I've put quite some strain through my arm moving heavier components in those positions too.' He shrugged, 'if you still think it's useful though, you can come observe the stretching, eh. I know Vulcans are stronger than humans, but you're welcome to do some exercise with me as well. Company is always appreciated.'

"It may be prudent. We have the capabilities to perform orthopedic repairs in this sickbay, but if you are performing a physical action that is placing additional strain on your joint, any further damage may be mitigated. You may inform me of an acceptable time for you." She began focusing her scanner on his back. "Ah. You appear to have some compression at L4-S1 - that could be causing your radicular pain going down your leg. I will provide an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic which will help alleviate this symptom. It should also help your shoulder feel temporarily better. I will review your scans further to evaluate whether any additional interventions will be warranted or whether it should simply be monitored."

'That's great, thank you. I think my next upperbody workout is tomorrow, as it happens. Oh-six-hundred ship time, if that works for you?' Looking quizzically at the Vulcan he asked, 'is that all it will take to solve the pain down my leg? If I'd have known that I would have solved it a while ago.'

"Very well. O-6-Hundred is an acceptable time. I will meet you in the gym. Regarding the pain radiating down your leg...this is consistent with radicular pain. That generally originates from the spine. I will re-image your lumbar spine to assess your L3-L4, and L4-S1 joints to see if there are any areas of concern. If so, there are number of interventions that could alleviate your symptoms."

'Thank you,' Plaatjes replied with gratitude. 'I can't begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to being pain-free.' Grinning at the Vulcan he asked, 'would these be common ailments among Vulcans? Or are your bodies more robust than ours?'

T'Ria tilted her head in consideration as she entered in the type of scans she wanted to obtain into the computer. "We are less prone to back injuries; it may simply be due to unique divergences during our evolutionary processes. Our physical forms are more robust than yours, using your descriptors, but, Commander, we evolved on a harsh, desert world. Vulcan is no place for weakness or infirmity. Your planet, water and resource-rich, allowed for greater diversity - both beneficial and detrimental."

Poking at his own belly, Plaatjes laughed, 'ah yes, I suppose quite a few of us humans must look quite soft to you in comparison, eh?' He shrugged, 'having a diverse biome did allow for humans to practice adaptability down the centuries. Perhaps a little less in the last few centuries where technology allowed us to overcome some of the relative harshness of Earth,' Plaatjes smiled again, 'some of us do work the land though, and know what it's like to be dependent on it for survival.'

T'Ria raised a brow as he poked at the softness on his stomach. Humans were softer than Vulcans, yes, in a literal sense. They had a higher percentage of adipose tissue...but that gave them exotically graceful curves to their form. It was quite a contrast to the long lines and sinewy look that most of her people 'sported.'

The computer chirped indicated that the back scans had been completed. She reviewed the imaging. Ah. Yes. That was the problem. "You have a bulging disc. It is impinging the nerve roots on the right side. That is the cause of your ongoing pain. I will give you an analgesic and something to reduce swelling for now, and will schedule you for a more permanent intervention."

'That sounds like a solution,' Plaatjes said pleasantly, assuming that the poke to his belly was part of the procedure. 'And what will a more permanent intervention look like? Will it mean an operation?'

"Yes. You will require a vertebral disc replacement. It is a minor surgery requiring a small surgical incision over the affected vertebral disc space, and the damaged disc is carefully removed and the altologous one is inserted. Once adequately seated, the incision is closed. I have performed this particular surgery 17 times." T'Ria responded in a flat tone, like she was reading off an unfamiliar note card. This was the 'famed' Vulcan bedside manner. He had asked a medical question and it was logical to be direct, thorough, and confident.

'Seventeen?' Plaatjes asked, interested despite the growing pit of fear in his stomach. 'Is that a lot for this particular procedure? And what's the success rate like, eh?' He chuckled to ward off the negative emotions that were beginning to entwine him, 'I don't think Starfleet will continue to employ a wheelchair-bound Chief Engineer ...'

"I have not had any significant post operative complications from this surgical intervention." T'Ria replied tilting her head in a manner that made her appear curious. "The likelihood of paralysis is highly improbable. The surgery is not without risks, however, and I would be negligent if I did not disclose the possible complications including: Infection, implant failure, nerve damage, and adjacent segment degeneration which could lead to worsening discomfort. A successful surgical outcome would entail significant relief from any ongoing lumbar pain and will alleviate your leg symptoms completely."

Plaatjes weighed up his options. 'Alright. You've had a good track record with the procedure.' He sighed, 'it would be good to be free from the pain as well.' Nodding, he looked at her, 'very well. How long will recovery take, typically?'

"Recovery time can vary between species, but humans appear quite resilient. You would be on light-duty for one to two weeks...it would be logical to address this soon, sir. The unpredictability of this chronic injury could cause a flare at a most inopportune time."

'So I should skip the gym in the morning then?' Plaatjes asked with a chuckle. 'Got you, Doctor. If you'd kindly schedule me in, we can get this over and done with - should give us enough time to get to Trillius Prime and have me up and ready.' He looked at her and winked, 'side-effects permitting.'

"You may continue your daily routine." T'Ria was 'looking forward' to zero six hundred - and further opportunity to engage with the crew. Contrary to popular belief, not all Vulcans sought solitude and since...since...she forced a slow, measured exhale from her mouth. Now was not the time to ruminate over the loss of her mate, the loss of the connection she had once shared and the newfound silence in her mind; it was best to focus on the present. Logical even.

"This is an elective surgery in essence, but it is something I can get scheduled within the next few days with the captain's permission. However, I am in agreement with your assessment. The timing would align so that you would be back to active duty by our arrival to Trillius Prime."

'Alright - if we get it scheduled as soon as possible, we can get going with it,' Plaatjes confirmed. Given the options before him were so clear, he saw no reason in delaying for much longer - it made no real sense.

"Very well. I will inform you of the timing, sir. In the interim, you may continue with your duties...and any arrangements you have already put in place. O-6 hundred?"

'Oh-six hundred is great - shall I pick you up on the way?' Plaatjes asked, pleased to have something to focus on in the interim. The thought of waiting to go under the knife did not please him overly much, and he would be glad of the distraction. The fact that he suspected T'Ria would be able to match his workout pound for pound also enthused him.

T'Ria did not respond for a moment - in truth she was trying to determine what he meant...some human phrases were rather...unusual. Not completely certain she settled on, "If by 'picking up' you mean meeting at my quarters...that would be acceptable."

'Good, then!' Plaatjes responded as he got to his feet. 'I shan't keep you from the rest of your patients - I look forward to seeing you in the morning, Major.' He smiled a little shyly, 'I believe your people say 'live long and prosper' when they leave each others' company, so I shall wish you that.'

It was what humans would have called 'overkill,' but she valued his attempt, nonetheless. Dipping her head in a gesture of gentle gratitude, she replied, "A formal 'parting' is...unnecessary, since we will be meeting again, but I acknowledge your consideration of my culture. I shall see you at O-six-hundred, Commander."


::OFF::


-----

Major T'Ria
Chief Medical Officer
USS Meridian

&

Lieutenant Commander Mattys Plaatjes
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Meridian

 

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