Total knee replacement

Hi Dawnsusan

Spinal block and sedation are quite common for knee replacement surgery here in Australia. My Anaesthesist asked me if I had a preference for  General Anaesthetic or spinal block and we agreed that whatever he thought was best for me, we would go with so I had a spinal block and sedation. I experienced no adverse side effects  however my pain was not managed very well as I am allergic to the most common pain killers and did not realise this until 48 hours of illness after my bilateral TKR"s. I trusted my surgeon and his team and I would go with whatever they think is best for you. All the best. Lyn

Hi I had tkr three weeks ago and I had the spinal block and they also uses a drug to numb the area that last about 24 to 48 hours after. There was no sickness and I woke right up. Feeling no pain and was able to eat two hours later. So if you have the choice go with the spinal

Good luck

Tom

Hi,

A year ago when I had my TKR, I had both, Spinal Block and Sedation. Woke up back in my room, feeling finer than frogs hair. The Hospitalist came in asked me to move my toes, which I did,  and how I felt, great. I told him that the next day would be different. [wink]  Which it was because they got me up and moving!!! No rest for the weary. I'd go with the Spinal and sedation again if need be.

Hi I had my op nearly 3 weeks ago I had a spinal block and sedation I didn't want to hear what was going on, at my local hospital they didn't really promote using GA, I woke up feeling fine, and starving unfortunately as soon as food arrived I was sick and was for the rest of the day, I also suffered dizziness and my blood pressure dropped very low, but they put that down to the slow release pain killers, good luck with your op

I get very nauseous when I have GA, but I don't think I really understood that I was having a spinal block until I was in the operating room. I didn't have time to worry about it. I was in India and they don't communicate very well with patients - we are just supposed to trust them (very difficult for this American gal). There were complications with getting the block in and the pain was a lot to endure - and the room was so cold! After surgery, I was also feeling hungry (and had extreme pain behind my knees). Being in India, they are serious about having their tea twice a day and so they brought me the afternoon tea with biscuts. Well, that didn't stay down very long. They didn't remove the spinal block for several days; in fact, it may have been 5 or 6 days (I left the hospital on the 7th day). They used it to administer pain meds - but it was weak and I don't know that I would go for that again. After a few days of laying on my back, it was starting to get a little painful and I was thankful for it's removal. I was having headaches when I sat up, but in the hospital I would just lay down and adjust the bed to lift me a bit. At home, I didn't have the fancy bed and the headache was making me nauseous. I started reading up on it and found out that for some people, it's a result of the spinal block. After about a week it went away.

All that said, I would probably do it again the same way. Luckily, I had a bilateral TKR, so I'm hoping I won't be in there any time soon.

Hi DS,

I was insisting on a GA, but had the SA and found it to be fine.

I agree with Lyn, whatever works best for your surgeon yo help do a top job.

I was a bit nervous when it was happening, but it made things much easier for all.

Good luck,

Alan

Had spinal and sedation with both my knees was absolutely fine woke up no groggy feeling or sickness back in room had tea and a sandwich 

Hi Dawnsusan, I had a spinal and sedation 7 weeks ago.  I didn't even imagine having this before going in hospital, and as I'm always extremely nauseous after a Ga I was happy to hear I was to have a spinal. I have a scoliosis of my spine so it took 3 attempts to get the cannula in, but at no time was it painful. The anaesthiatist said I would feel my legs getting tingly and warm, which I did and.....that was it til I woke up! All done and back in my bed. My husband visited almost immediately and half an hour later I was eating a lovely ham salad. Absolutely no side effects at all.  Would have it again definitely.