Spinal Epidural for Surgery

Hello miele, I had total hip replacement 12 days ago. I had a spinal block. I had an infusion prepared so if I wanted to have any thing to make me sleepy or go to sleep I could, I just had to say, however I didn't I stayed awake the whole time. It was good, no anaesthetic. I couldn't see anything as had a blue sheet between me and surgeon, I talked to the anaesthetist all the way through. I could hear all the noises of the equipment, hammering, sawing, drilling but felt no pain whatsoever. I could feel my body going up and down when they were hammering on my bones, but didn't feel a thing. You can have something to make you sleepy but the reason this is the best way now is that it means you have a quick recovery and get on your feet after about 3 hr's which is important to prevent dvt's and gain mobility early in your hip. Don't be scared hundreds and thousands of us are having this operation and your health and safety is paramount. Its natural to be scared, but its all over in no time.

Good luck

Hi,

I had this. I said I didn't want to hear or be aware of anything.  I had the epidural, spoke to the nurse, surgeon popped his head in to say hello, next thing I knew I was coming around in the recovery ward.  I was looking at my legs but couldn't move them. Felt a little strange but that didn't last long. Feeling soon came back.  I'm not used to taking strong medication, I was worried about feeling pain when the numbness went so I clicked the morphine clicker as much as I could. Wrong it made me I'll. Just try and do that every half hour.  Try not to worry, easier said than done, it will be over before you know it. I had mine done 4 and half weeks ago, I'm getting better every day.

Hi

I had a spinal block both times and had the choice of sedation as well......enough to knock me out or enough to make me drowsy. I chose the latter so I knew things were going on but I didnt know what.....didnt here any specific noises or conversations.

I found the spinalblock with a slight sedation was great

Love

Eileen   UK

My girlfriend has had her surgery today with the spinal block on her left hip. She had general on her right hip two years ago . At first she was slightly anxious about being awake but has said that it was much better. She was in and out of sleep, chatting to the anaesthetist and after coming from theatre she didn't have the drowsy feeling you have from a general .

Thank you all so much for your replies of encouragment!. I was so glad I found this site and would appreciate any advice any of you could give me to make this as easy as possible. I'm having my surgery on April 2nd. I will need to have both hips replaced as I have extensive severe osteoarthritis in most of my joints. I've had 2 cervical surgeries because of my arthritis and never had a worry in the world. But this one has me scared mostly because I will be awake.

 

Hi, I had THR 3 weeks ago with a spinal and it was great. I had the sedation, I drifted in and out, could sense my body moving but felt very relaxed and felt no pain whatsoever. I was awake as soon as the operation was over and spoke to the surgeon, spent 15 minutes in recovery monitoring blood pressure etc then back to the ward and had tea and toast. Numbness lasted a few hours. I would not hesitate in having a spinal again. Good luck, you'll be fine xx

hello 

dont worry about spinal epidral .i had a knee replacement and you dont feel or see anything .the recovery is much better  ,they play music duing the operation and you have the anesthersis there all the time .i am due to have thr in march and talking to people on here that have had it made me feel much better 

love joan x

I had a hip replacement 9 weeks ago.  I had a spinal anaesthetic and an infusion to help me relax, but it sent me to sleep anyway and I woke up when the anesthetist was calling my name, the lsurgeon was just finishing off putting the stera strips on as I had been glued, not stitched.  I never felt, heard or saw anything apart from that bit which was on the screen on the wall.  It was great, the feeling came back in my legs about an hour afterwards.  There was a feeling of tenderness but no pain at all.  My head was quite clear and I was ready for my cup of tea, albeit through a straw and a piece of toast.  Wonderful.

The samne query was debated on this forum two months ago and the general consensus was that the spinal was thye way to go

I thought of the gteneral but on the advice of the consultant went for the spinal with a light sedative to start with. I did wake up during the cutting and then some chopping but never felt a thing. A lay on the table looking at my heart monitor with all the beeps but found my rate at 60 beats per minute quite reassuring. Spinal wore off aftyer 6-7 hours and you are uncomforatable but they will give you pain killers

Best wishes