Anaesthetic.

I had the choice of the epidural or general anesthetic. I opted for the general anesthetic as I have curvature of the spine and didn't want the risk of the needle going in the wrong place! Also I didn't want to be awake through the procedure. I know they give you sedation but I still didn't fancy it.

As far as I was concerned it was the right decision as everything went perfectly. Those on the ward who had the epidural were the only ones who had after effects like sickness and pain.

At the end of the day it's got to be personal choice. As far as I was concerned I was a coward and wanted to go to sleep and wake up with it all over.

I had a spinal block for my THR about a month ago and I can say that it was painless and nothing to worry about. The only minor ouch was the first injection of local anaesthetic but that is no worse than when you give a blood sample.

A few seconds later the blocking anaesthetic is injected. You won't feel that - but you will feel a strange warmth flowing through your lower regions - and your legs go numb. Then it's the sedative - and that's the last you know till you wake up an hour or so later.

When you wake up your lower body is still anaesthetised and however hard you try you cannot move your feet and legs, and this feeling will remain for maybe a couple of hours.

So to answer your question, the only minor ouch is when the anaesthetist first injects the local anaesthetic. After that there is nothing to worry about.

HI I WAS A BIT RELUCTANT ABOUT HAVING THIS AS I KNOW IT CAN CAUSE NERVE DAMAGE IF ITS NOT DONE CAREFULLY. I ALREADY HAVE A DROPPED FOOT FROM YEARS AGO AFTER BACK SURGERY. I EXPRESSED MY FEARS AND WAS REASSURED IF IN DOUBT I WOULD JUST HAVE A GENERAL ANAESTHETIC HOWEVER IT WAS OKAY YOU JUST FEEL WARMTH IN LOWER BODY I WAS ALSO PUT TO SLEEP AND WHEN I WOKE UP I FELT COMFORTABLE HAD NO PAIN FOR S GOOD COUPLE OF HOURS THEN I WAS GIVEN PAIN KILLERS AT REGULAR INTERVALS......I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN I WAS THE SAME ITS VERY COMMON NOW, I THINK ITS PREFERABLE SO YOU RECOVER QUICKER BECAUSE YOU DONT GET SEDATED AS MUCH BEST OF LUCK CYNDEY

I had a THR about 10 weeks ago with a spinal block and sedation. After the initial scratch of the needle going in, there was absolutely nothing to worry about or feel. Definately the best option. I felt no after effects as with a GA. Hope all goes well.

Sarah

I was terrified of the whole operation which is why I suffered for about seven years. I knew I did not want a GA, the spinal was the surgeon's preferred choice anyway and to be honest I did not feel the needle going in, they dab something on to freeze the area, they kept asking if I could feel it going numb, they turned me on my back then on the opposite side to move the anesthetic around the lower body, she then asked me to put my arm on a rest, the next thing I knew I was being woken up one hour fifty minutes later and never had any pain since.

A spinal block was also my surgeon's preferred choice. I'm really glad I had it. After I woke up, the block wore off quickly. I had no nausea like I had experienced with previous general anesthesia. And I was completely alert and awake after the surgery, which was great compared to general anesthesia. The one possible side effect I did notice was that I didn't have as good of bladder control for a few months (had to get up a couple times during the night to use the bathroom), But that resolved for the most part after a couple of months. I am 61 years of age, so part of that might also be age related.

The surgeon recommended spinal block so I followed his advice. Brilliant procedure no problems. I am due a second one soon and will following his advice again X

i had this and was very worried about it beforehand because I didn't want to be awake during the operation, but the anaesthetist promised me I'd hear and see nothing. it was absolutely fine and I came round in the recovery room with no knowledge of what had gone on. it felt weird not being able to feel my legs, but there was no pain and I felt fine. Hope this helps.

I had a THR 14 weeks ago.

Spinal block and sedation was my surgeons preferred option.

It was definately a good option. I woke up just as they were putting the staples in but i felt nothing. After a short time in recovery i was back on the ward tucking into a sandwich. I couldn't have done that after a general as i suffer so badly with sickness.

I wouldn't hesitate to have it again if needed.

Hope this helps.

All the best.

Hi, I had a spinal block, it felt a bit uncomfortable while it was going in, but I would really recommend it. I opted for sedation because I didn't really want to hear it all! The sedation went in through a canular into my hand, and the next thing I knew was the surgeon telling me that everything had gone well. I was having lunch an hour later, and up using a walker later in the afternoon. No sickness at all. I would definitely opt for it again. (Since then I had my appendix removed, and I asked about a spinal, but was told it wouldn't be suitable, and had to have a general. Felt loads worse after that.)

I'm in Florida in the Us. i had the spinal anesthetic 11 months ago for my rt THR. i told the anesthesiologist who was asking me question before that I was very nervous about the whole thing and didn't want to be awake. He said that the spinal anesthesia is preferred because they can numb the surgical field without general anesthesia and the risks that has. Also with spinal they don't intubate, or put a tube down your throat, to assist breathing while you are under. And you can get up sooner with some long lasting pain relief without pain pills. I was walking with no discomfort 3 hours after the start time of my operation. pretty amazing when you think about it.

That said, I reluctantly agreed to the spinal. When they came to bring me into the surgical suite the nurse gave me something in my IV to relax me and I remember saying "I'm not going to remember any of this am I?" Nope was the last thing I do remember saying. I don't remember going into the OR or anything.

Maybe telling the anesthesia nurse or doctor you're very very nervous they will give you something to relax you. Tell your surgeon also when you speak with him last before the operation. Tell everyone. I have also had several epidural spine injections at various times in my life and they involve only a Novocaine like injection before they inject a steroid into the spinal canal. I can say those were not painful either. And they gave me some relaxing stuff in my IV but I was awake but didn't care. Only a little pinch for the Novocaine.

So don't be afraid. Try to focus on how good it will be over this hurdle and get on with healing and being pain free. We are here to support you. Good luck

I had a spinal block for my hip op and was so impressed asked for one for a more recent op which said general anaesthetic and I was not given an option. I am so glad I asked the surgeon and anaesthetist if I could have a spinal and they said yes no problem. I just sat on the gurney and they injected into my back. I did not really feel anything. The anaesthetist had checked me at the pre op to see if it was OK for me to have a spinal block. For my more recent op not the hip op I had the op around 2pm it took about an hour or so and I was able to go home that evening.

Hi Sadly I had to had a GA as I had a massive panic attack .But I came through the general ok.I stayed in hospital for 4 days.Good luck regards Amanda h

Oh definitely spinal block and sedation.

I had no after effects and was drinking tea and eating a sandwich within 5 minutes of coming round in the recovery ward.

In my opinion, definitely the way to go.