Thomas Hemmings

12051778

Clustering Reflection:

Clustering is an important strategy for separating similar information into groups (S. Kaushik, 2016).
This was beneficial as it helped with the selection/cluster of orthopaedic tests that were associated
with intervertebral disc lesions of the lumbar spine. The importance of identifying intervertebral disc
lesions become apparent due to how crucial the lumbar spine and associated anatomy is in day to
day life. I found that the history plays a huge role in not just identifying but also helps the
management of how we are able to treat patients according to their personal and medical history.
For example, does the patient have any mechanical, immune disorders or diseases that could
become important when treating.

I also found that the patients history and knowing the associated anatomy of the area helps to
identify risk factors of intervertebral disc lesion of the lumbar spine. I worked through the anatomy
associated with lumbar spine herniations. I thought that the anatomy was crucial in recognising the
type of disc lesions, where they occur, and the function associated. A group member worked
through important history questions and discovered the significance that they have with clustering
information related to reaching a diagnosis of intervertebral disc lesion of the lumbar spine. Being
able to recognise the importance of clustering and how it allowed certain orthopaedic tests to be
grouped according to their similar traits. This helped a group member to determine the tests
associated in diagnosing a patient with an intervertebral disc lesion. Once this group member had
completed their section, I read over it and offered some advice to see if there was an order that he
could list the tests in. I provided an example for maybe listing the chosen tests by the one that puts
the least amount of stress on the associated anatomy of intervertebral disc and surrounding tissue.
This would ensure that if a patient came into a clinic with a susceptible lesion you would start with a
gentler test.

The cluster of tests help to lead to a more reliable diagnosis, as they all affect/interact with the disc
and anatomy associated with disc lesions discussed in the video. It also helped to identify the groups
of tests and history questions with similar contents that would be linked to testing for a disc lesion.

Reference:
1. Kaushik, S. (2016). Clustering Introduction & different methods of clustering. Retrieved 18
May 2020, from https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2016/11/an-introduction-to-clustering-
and-different-methods-of-clustering/