Orthopaedic surgery and spinal anaesthetic

[Carakeel]

Has anyone had orthopaedic surgery under spinal anaesthetic? If so, were you aware of the sounds in the operating room and did you feel anything, i.e. movement, at all? Did you find being awake during major surgery frightening? Do they allow the use of an MP3 player to distract the patient from the goings-on in the operating room? Do they allow a loved on in to support the patient during the operation, as they do during child birth?

[Taz70]

I may be wrong, but I think they'll put you out so you don't know anything. With an epidural during childbirth you're obviously awake, but just can't feel anything. I think a spinal anaesthetic is similar, but I don't think they're going to let you stay awake during an operation. Depends what you're having done I suppose, but I'm sure it's only very minor ops and then you have local anaesthetic.

I broke both my legs a few years back and I had a spinal anaesthetic, but they gave me tablets first (to knock me out I suppose). It was too major an op not to because I had to have pins and wires. I don't think they allow anyone in whilst operating (my husband wasn't).

Don't worry - you won't feel or know about a thing, I'm sure. I'm sure your consultant will explain everything to you before it happens anyway. Good luck!

[Carakeel]

Thanks Taz 70. I am on the urgent list for two knee replacement operations. They will be done three months apart, thankfully. I have had some great advice from a nurse on this site regards the op, but am now hoping to hear from someone who has been though this as a patient. I have been told I will be awake during the operation, as this type of anaesthetic is prefered by the medical team. Also, I had a cardiac arrest caused by problems with a general anaesthetic during a major op many years ago, so it would seem this spinal is safer for me. But in all honesty, I am scared, really frightened about being aware of noises etc. in the operating room. Normal premeds have previously not calmed me down at all, just left me a blubbering, frightened mess. The fear of another cardiac arrest was just too much. I really don't want to be like that again. Thanks for your answer and your kind thoughts. I will be asking an awful lot of questions when I go for my pre-op consultation.

[Taz70]

Have you tried Bach's Rescue Remedy to try and calm your nerves beforehand. I've used it for things like interviews and tests and it's really worked on me. I even took it before the birth of my last child. If you've not heard of it - it's a totally natural flower remedy that even children can take. You just put a few drops on your tongue or dilute it in water. Mind you, if you have too much, you chill out too much and forget what you were going to say, lol.

Sorry I can't offer more help, but obviously staying awake is the best option for you. They may not let you take an MP3 player in because of hygiene etc, but perhaps they can play music in the background for you? Not sure if that just happens on tv though.

[Carakeel]

Thanks Taz. I will try the Rescue Remedy. I will try ANYTHING!!! (just kidding!) I'll be ok, just not looking forward to this. But hey, I'll be a new woman when it is all over ... dance without pain .... go for walks without pain ... well hopefully! Off to bed now, so night night and thanks.

[Morticiah]

Hi Carakeel, I have had two Orthopedic Ops on my Knee. On the first one, they tried to do the Spinal - but something went wrong with them trying to put the epidural needle thingie in, and as a result they put me under a GI. When I was knocked out, they put the Epidural in so that I would have pain relief post - op.

In the second Op, I had the Spinal epidural thingie with no problems and stayed awake for the whole operation. A nurse stayed next to me and held my hand and kept me chatting.

I couldn't feel anything, but I knew when they were moving my leg to put a tourniquet on it.

I didn't even notice they'd started the procedure until one of the Surgeons popped around the Curtain (waving bl00d stained gloves at me!) & showed me the piece of Bone they'd removed. We even chatted and had a laugh.

I had told the Surgeons that if they needed to start drilling, then I'd prefer to be knocked out as I couldn't cope with hearing that, so they were prepared for that. Luckily they didn't need to *phew!

Though very nervous and tearful beforehand, I was very, very relaxed and chatty throughout the op - which I suspect may have come from a dose of Valium!

I don't know if your hospital would allow relatives to stay - I didn't even think of that - though I'm sure that Mr Mort would have enjoyed the experience :-)
I do wish I thought to take my MP3 player with me ... that would have been cool. I could have sang loudly to Meatloaf and Linkin Park in the Op. Theatre!

Hope this helps a little, and GOOD LUCK

Mort

[Carakeel]

Thanks so much for that reply Mort. You're a star. Hope you have healed well. I feel a bit better about it all now. How long did it take for you to recover from each op?

[angeldraws]

Hi - like Taz, i too, have had a spinal epidural twice, tho they were completely different. The first, i felt nothing whatsoever and everything went well - the second one tho, I was convinced my leg was falling off the bed, and it wasn't!! I could feel everything they did BUT DEFINITELY NOT PAIN.... I write this not to scare you but just in case this is your experience and at least you will be prepared, i emphasise that i felt no pain whatsoever.
Hope it goes well. x

[alijangra]

I would MUCH rather a spinal because in the event that it did not work, at least you are awake to tell them. The stories about people who have had a GA but where not under properly, but could not inform anyone due to paralysis from muscle relaxants totally freaks me out. I am absolutely petrified of general anaesthetics and hope I never have to have one!!

[Carakeel]

Now, that really makes me feel great , alijangra! Thanks for that! Very encouraging indeed!

[alijangra]

Whats your problem?? I gave my opinion. In response to your question, no you are not put out for a spinal thats the whole point of it!! A GA puts strain on your cardiovascular system and therefore a spinal is much safer. I was just pointing out MY fear of having a GA.
MP3 player= at the discretion of surgeon
Movement= NO
Frightening= You are normally given mild sedation
Loved ones in OR=No

Any problems with this answer or are you as equally ungrateful that someone took the time to respond???