Hip replacement surgery

[hootyowls]

I am looking for some advice regarding a hip replacement operation I'm due to have shortly. I asked the consultant how I would be anesthetised for the surgery and he said this would be discussed with the anesthetist on the day of the surgery. I am concerned about this because I would like to know what my options are beforehand and what to expect.

Please can someone tell me what the options are that could be offered to me and the pros and cons for these. As a bit of background, I have not had surgery before and I am anxious and do have a problem with needles, so any help in dealing with this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi OP, retired anaesthetist here.
I did virtually all my hip and knee replacements under spinal anaesthesia, plus/minus iv sedation.
Most of my patients were elderly with heart or lung conditions, which meant that spinal was safer than GA. It also reduces the amount of surgical blood loss and the risk of post op DVT.
You will meet your anaesthetist pre-op, either on the ward or in the anaesthetic room, and your options will be explained to you.
Whichever method of anaesthesia is chosen, you will need a cannula in your hand, to administer IV fluids, antibiotic cover, and any sedation or GA drugs, etc.
If you are needle phobic, mention this at the anaesthetic pre-assessment clinic and on admission, so you can be given local anaesthetic gel to numb your hand before cannula insertion.

My mum will be having a partial hip replacement tomorrow after fracturing her hip. Her surgeon said it will be up to the anaesthetist to decide and will either be a general anaesthetic or a spinal depending on what they decide is safer for her. She has a heart condition and has had a lot of blood tests so it depends on which method Is predicted to be safer,,

thank you for the replies and really appreciate the information given, especially about the numbing gel as that is not something I was aware of and will be of great help.

You've got a gold plated response there from Babdoc! It outlines exactly my dad's experience for both his hip ops (minus the needle phobia).

All the best x