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Anesthesia causes the loss of feeling or consciousness. Many medications and procedures are available to you to prevent you from feeling pain during your joint surgery.
We have found that general anesthesia works best for most patients having joint replacement surgery. We will plan to use this technique for you unless a medical condition indicates otherwise.
Several different medications may be used for general anesthesia--some are inhaled and some are given through an IV. With general anesthesia, you may have a tube placed in your windpipe to deliver inhaled medication. This may cause your throat to be sore following surgery.
Your operating room anesthesiologist will monitor your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure during your surgery. An IV will be started in your arm before surgery. Your operating room anesthesiologist will give you fluids and medications through the IV line.
You do not need to worry that you will wake up too early or that you will feel the surgery being performed. Your anesthesiologist will make sure you wake up at just the right time.
Regional anesthesia can be used for surgical procedures below the level of the breast bone. Regional anesthesia is usually accomplished using a spinal or epidural technique. With this technique, medication is injected in the spinal area of the lower back to numb the nerves that carry sensation and movement messages between the brain and lower part of the body.
When only regional anesthesia is used, patients are usually aware of events in surgery, even though they do not feel pain.
Relax! Many people are concerned or anxious about having anesthesia. Although it can be frightening, please know our competent, caring staff will be with you throughout your procedure. Please feel free to talk with your surgeon or nurse if you have questions or concerns about your anesthesia options. Please let your nurse know when you are admitted to the hospital on the day of your surgery if you wish to discuss anesthesia with the anesthesiologist. |
