1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Spinal injection v GA for THR?

Posted , 15 users are following.

carole1948
carole1948

The moment has come to make this decision as my pre op assessment is on Thursday for my operation on 7 Sept.  Any pros and cons from anyone out there?

2 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

Prev Next
  • cate23735
    cate23735 carole1948

    Posted

    Hi Carole,

    I am sure you will be able to make this decision on the day of the operation, I did.  The anaesthetist will come and discuss all the pros and cons with you.  I'm 49 and I decided to have a general, basically because I was nervous and I am squeamish, so felt I would be better being totally out of it.  I recovered very well from the general, a little sick straight after the op but mainly caused by the motion of being wheeled back to the ward on the bed, and without being crude it was only liquid so not too distressing. The nurses gave me an anti sickness jab and I was absolutely fine.

    My mum who is 67 has had 3 hip operations and on each occassion had spinal, and with very little sedation, but she is diabetic and also a lot braver than me...

    Go with how you feel once you have discussed the options, I am sure you will feel confident on the day to go with the right thing for you.

    PS I am sure in the future my other hip will need doing, and as long as I am healthy enough, I will go for the general again.

    Good luck

    Cate

  • renee01952
    renee01952 carole1948

    Posted

    Hi Carole -

    what would you prefer?  it will be your decision ...

    I chose GA - just didn;t want to risk hearing noises and all that - I was told about the possible side effects of GA but had none ... 

    good liuck with making a decision -

    warm hug

     renee

     

  • sue59299
    sue59299 carole1948

    Posted

    I,ve had loads of GA,s in the past, but I chose an epidural. As a nurse, who is a bit overweight and a smoker I thought I would be less likely to develop any complications.

    It was the easiest and nicest anaesthetic you could imagine!  I was told by the anaesthetist that I would fall asleep and wake up feeling wonderful which is just what happened!  As soon as the epidural wore off I was up and moving around, feeling quite proud of myself!

    Just one piece of advice Carole!  If your surgeon offers you a urinary catheter....say Yes!   It's not a nice thought, but Thank God I agreed.  They fitted it in theatre when I was snoozing and I did,nt have to worry about peeing when I woke up.  You can,t get up or use a bedpan in the bed, so they have to pack you with inco pads and you have to just go lying there!  That worried me more than the op!  That was one big worry out of the way. Most people say No, which is a shame!

    good luck,

    warm hugs

    Susie

     

  • alice85142
    alice85142 carole1948

    Posted

    i am also having my hip done on the 7th.......had pre op yesterday and that put the wind up me.......i am i am having spinal and light anesthtic ( can't spell) thaving problems seeing theses posts just when i most need to see them......so hope I get some replies I can see

    Alice

    • Guest
      Guest alice85142

      Posted

      I am 14 weeks post op lthr. I had spinal and light anesthetic felt really great afterwards. If I have to have my other one done thats the way I will go again. Good luck for the 7th and please share your concerns and worries there is always someone on here that has been in the same or similar boat. xx
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK alice85142

      Posted

      Hi Alice,

      Good Luck for the 7th...Keep in touch and let us know how things go.

      I've had 2 THR's both with light sedation and Spinal injections and I wouldnt change that way if I had to do it again

      Love

      Eileen

    • alice85142
      alice85142 maggie93798

      Posted

      Thhank you Maggie...I will keep reading posts until Sunday eveing.

      Alice

    • alice85142
      alice85142 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Gosh these posts are so theraputic!  I have been given valium but this is tons better. Thanks Eileen.

      Love,

      ​Alice

    • alice85142
      alice85142 Guest

      Posted

      I was a bit wobbly inside till I turned the forum on..and now with all the positive posts I feel calmer. It is so useful to hear from folk who have had this op and all it entails.

      ​The pre op yesterday made me more jittery but tonight and reading all these..well group therapy this def is.

      14 weeks?  Do you still have to sleep on your back? and how on earth do you stop from turning on your side..  Pillows have been mentioned.

      Alice

  • ali2301
    ali2301 carole1948

    Posted

    Hi Carole,

    Having always had a GA for all of my previous surgeries, the spinal and sedation was a breath of fresh air. I woke up right towards the end to a big grin from my lovely anaesthetist telling me it was all over and had all gone according to plan. I then dropped back off and woke up again in recovery, totally coherent and completely pain free! I felt nothing from the waist down until later that evening when the feeling started to come back slowly. I completely agree with another poster regarding the catheter as having no feeling in your lower limbs, a bed pan or similar was impossible. So basically I got to lie in bed, feeling marvellous and not having to worry about needing the loo.

    I went for the same again for my second hip op just over a week ago with no regrets. I would go for this option every time over a GA. It's just as effective but without the risks of a GA. 

    You will be able to make the final decision on the morning of the op when the anaesthetist comes to have a chat with you detailing the pros and cons of each and ask your opinion and give you his thoughts.

    Good luck with whatever you decide.

    Ali xx

    • alice85142
      alice85142 ali2301

      Posted

      Hi Ali 1,

      That has helped me too..roll on MOnday and get it over.

      Ali 2

  • jane26071
    jane26071 carole1948

    Posted

    10 days ago I had "new hip" spinal with no sedation.....brilliant! Best wishes!
  • alice85142
    alice85142 carole1948

    Posted

    Carole that is the best post to read when I have 4 days to go.

    Thank you.

    Alice

    • carole1948
      carole1948 alice85142

      Posted

      Hi Alice,

      I'm glad my post has proved so helpful to you.  I'd like to thank all of you hippies for your replies and advise, it has all been so positive.  I have decided, after a long chat with the anaethetist at the pre op to have spinal injction with sedation (although I can change my mind on the dayi if necessary)

      Thank you all again.  I am not checking in again until after the op, I want a clear head.  Wish me luck and I will report on the other side!

      x

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.