Worried about anaesthetic.

[Therewere5inthebed]

I'm having a full knee replacement in 3 weeks and had my 'Joint School' course yesterday. During this it was mentioned that the consultant I'm having tends to prefer using a spinal and sedation to a G.A.

In theory I have nothing against this as I know I'd be sedated and am not squeamish but.. When I had my daughter I had a retained placenta and they needed to give me an epidural to deal with it but it didn't work for more than a few minutes I could suddenly feel intense pain, I'm really worried that I'm somehow resistant to the spinal/epidural drugs and will end up in pain during the procedure.

I can't speak to the Consultant Anaethetist until the morning of the operation and the worry is making it even more difficult to sleep.

Does anyone have experience of this?

Thanks for reading.

[MiniMinor]

Although a spinal is very similar to an epidural it is a much "denser" anaesthetic which starts working much more rapidly and is unlikely to give you a patchy or incomplete block the way epidaurals can do on occasion. The anaesthetist will check the numbness before the procedure starts and will stay with you throughout. If at all you are in pain he or she will be immediately be able to add further painkillers intravenously to help or if needed, convert to a general anaesthetic. Whatever happens you will not be left in pain during your surgery. HTH

[Therewere5inthebed]

Thank you Mini for some reason I thought a spinal was weaker than an epidural. If I am able to show that I'm in pain and something can be done I'd rather go for the spinal as I've been told that the recovery is faster.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I was switched from an epidural ( local anaesthetic into spinal canal) to a spinal ( lovely hard core drugs) during labour. The epidural took the pain away, but I could still feel. The spinal was bloody marvellous and took everything away.

[Twirlywoooo]

As Mini has said, a spinal is a much denser block and works very well. The level of the block will be tested prior to any surgery. The recovery is faster, if you feel pain then the anaesthetist has options, converting to a general anaesthetic and very strong IV analgesia. I've assisted the anaesthetist at many joint replacements (ortho/trauma SODP) most were performed under a spinal block, without any issues.

The spinal will also give you much needed pain relief immediately post op and depending on the sedation used you won't remember anything after it wears off.

You are monitored throughout by the anaesthetist (sometimes 2) and an ODP throughout, you won't be left in any distress or pain.

[Twirlywoooo]

Apologies for the overuse of 'throughout' MN needs an 'edit' button.

[Therewere5inthebed]

Thank you Lonecat and Twirly, it's amazing how much reassurance can be gleaned from strangers on the internet!

I'm going to speak to the Anaethetist on the morning of the procedure but will probably be happy to go with the spinal.thank you so much for the reassurance.