2nd time Around TKR

I had my left knee replaced 17 years ago with general anesthetic , and the right knee 18 months later with spinal block . The spinal block was the better operation , quicker recovery . Nothing to worry about , you can be sedated and possibly listen to music during the op so you don't hear the noise .

I would NEVER agree to have another spinal block.  I felt 3 needle pokes, 

blindly looking, I assume, for the right spot!

Hi I had general anethesic so can't help you but good luck with your 2nd tkr

Had spinal. Be reassured it is good option. Just ask for increased sedation if you are, like I was , nervous. Had my tkr 2 months ago. Good luck

Hi Michywishy

im 9 weeks posst tkr im in the UK i had a spinal block as you call it maybe a different name here it was a epidural same i think an injection into the lower spine and i was also put to sleep my surgeon said the epidural gives longer pain relief after the op i found it ok and had no problems or after effects hope this helps and good luck for a speedy recovery.

I was terrified of the spinal and wanted a general. After a talk with the anaesthetist about why it was better, and he promised me I would be asleep and hear nothing, I did it and was glad after. You recover quicker- had a full dinner 2 hours after, and legs stay numb for quite a long time saving on pain for a while! You can be awake , lightly sedated where you can hear odd bits or heavily sedated where you hear nothing. He kept his promise! The down side is bladder control for a few hours.

I was really scared but it was fine.

I wish you a good recovery no matter which method of sedation you choose.  I wasn't given an option, but I had a lot of pain afterwards.  Good luck

Hi Michy,

I had a spinal block for my TKR in June, and I had absolutely no issues. People worry about hearing the procedure, but I told the anesthesiologist I didn't want to hear it, and he took care of that. (I'm not sure what he gave me, but talk to your anesthesiologist.) Wishing you the very best!

Diane

Hi Michy,

I went for op expecting a general and junior anaesthesist told me I was having spinal when in prep room.

I spoke with surgeon and anaesthedit and they convinced to go for spinal.

Had lots of sedation, did hearr c some noise but was too out of it to care. Recovery was really quick and has been excellent since Thank God. Op was in April.

Go for it.

Best wishes,

Alan

Not sure where you are but there seems to be a trend to that in the UK from the reports on here. I'm in the US and with all 11 surgeries on my knee/leg I have had a general. One thing I've heardcrepeatedly, the spinal lets you wake up with no sickness, etc. I have never had any such problems. As a matter of fact, 2 of the last 3 times I had a full meal in recovery (private recovery room). The one new thing between my 1st tor in 2004 and the revision in 2013 was the pain control methods. The original was an epidural. The 2013 surgery and The 5 subsequent surgeries they used a femoral block. They leave the line in for 24 to 48 hours and it really does a fantastic job.

I think the best thing is to discuss your feelings with the anesthesiologist and do what's best for you.

Hi there michywishy,

?I am in UK and had a partial knee replacement on 6 Nov 2015. I had a general anesthetic. My sister living in a different part of UK had the spinal nerve bl;ock (what she called an epidural). She tells me she was aware of all the banging, tugging manipulating of the knee as surgery unfolded. Her recovery was a bit complicated because she found she was allergic to many of the pain control meds, especially morphine.

?I don't know why I had a general but see my surgeon in a weeks time and will ask him. Maybe because I have a heart arrythmia. The thing I found was all about recovery, I was home after 3 days with a 90 degree bend and had a three way battle, ridding my 'system' of the toxins from the general, stabilising my pain control and pushing on with my PT exercises. In there own way all three were problems in their own right.

Hope this helps.

John

Hello Michy,

I am in the U.K. And had a right tkr last Wed and knew nothing about choice. I was given a spinal and was aware of the banging, etc, but I wasn't bothered by it as you are so relaxed by the anaesthetic. I had a little sickness once I went up to my room, but by day 2 I felt great! The nurses were fantastic at controlling the pain.

The PT had me up and doing exercises every hour, but I was able to do so. I couldn't do all and they can be quite adamant, but do what you can.

One thing to be aware of if your surgeon puts you in a brace. You feel so free when they take it off, but whoa! The pain when you first move your leg- I wasn't prepared for it.

Got home on Saturday and have learned in these few days that you must manage your pain and exercises as is right for you. Push yourself, but be kind too.

So, one week on from the spinal I feel great, my knee is bending well and I'm positive about my future mobility. I can get around without my crutches, shower in an over the bath shower, go up and down the stairs easily.

Good luck with it Michy. This forum is such a help too - it's helped me a lot.

Ps I am 57 and overweight.