Anaesthesia Questions?

[Temair]

I'm having surgery next week. Arthroscopic knee meniscus removal. Anyway I've heard that sometimes they do this surgery with an epidural or spinal. Does anyone have any experience with this? My only experience is a spinal when I had my DD and it didn't work so they gave me a general. I don't mind the general, I'm just out of it most of the day after.

Thanks,

 

[mjkacmom]

I had both, and they're very similar. It can be a little painful (although I never felt the pain when I was having contractions).

 

[Buckalew11]

My mom had this surgery and just had a local. She was reallly nervous about being put to sleep for it so they offered this instead. She said she watched him do the whole surgery on a little tv screen. She's a tough ol' bird though!

 

[SamIAm21]

I think I would rather have the epidural than go under general anasthesia, which I almost always wake up from crying and then usually become sick to my stomach.

The epidural was a bee-sting, then lots of pressure (no pain) and then nothing. I thought it was the greatest thing since the invention of chocolate!

 

[Jpgirl]

An epidural and a spinal are 2 different things. The epidural goes into the epidural space and spinal goes into the spinal column. I've had a spinal for 2 C sections-you're numb from just above the waist all the way to the toes. Side effects are headaches and leakage of the spinal fluid from the spinal column. Rarely, there can be damage to the spinal canal resulting in paralysis. Not really sure about the epidural but the coverage isn't as complete. I was numb for about 8 hours-and you have to lay flat-it helps to prevent the headaches that can result from spinals. It drove me nuts just laying there and you can't move because you're numb. But then again I'm not a huge fan of general either. Just do your research and talk to your doc.

 

[Kirk]

I had this done in 2002 and insisted on an epi because I have a problem with being put out - that total loss of control just drives me over the edge! I was so relaxed and was not feeling anything so I nodded off for a while until the doc woke me to show what he was doing.

If I do it again I will:

1) Opt for the epi for the same reason but probably tell the doc to just let me relax. (Already seen the live feed.)

2) I WILL NOT let them rush me out of the recovery only to get motion sick on the way home! (Out-patient Cattle Call Clinic)

3) I WILL make sure I have help at home! My right side was entirely paralyzed from the epi until about 8 PM that evening. My friend helped me drag my toes into the house where I sat in a recliner for 8 hours with a urinal, snacks, drink and a remote control. I could not walk a step on my own even with crutches and my DD was out of state at the time. You won't have this problem with the general.


Hope this helps! Good Luck!!!

 

[Towncrier]

If you go under a general, they have to insert a breathing tube and breathe for you. The epidural is much more focused. When I broke my ankle a few years ago, they refused to give me a general because I had eaten breakfast that morning. My only choice was the epidural. After they administered it, I don't remember much else. They gave me something else in my IV that put me to sleep (or gave me amnesia), so I wasn't actually awake during the surgery. Thank goodness.

Good luck with your knee surgery.

 

[Hannathy]

My sister had knee surgery with a spinal in July. she said it was great, no problems and walked out of the hospital to the car and had no problems that evening. she said she didn't even feel the guy sticking her! She said she started the exercises in the recovery room. She works at the hospital and is friends with a lot of the Dr's and they all said to do the spinal over the General- a lot less risks and easier recovery.

 

[Temair]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm strongly leaning towards the spinal. The last time I had a general I was really out of it for most of the day. And I think it would be neat to see whats going on.

So unless this cough that I think is allergies turns into a cold I will be having surgery bright and early at 8:30 am tomorow. Wish me luck!

Joanne

 

[DisDoc]

Hello there, I am an anesthesia resident in michigan. Hope your surgery goes well in the morning. Most of what the others have been saying is correct. I do these cases all the time using either spinal or general anesthesia. The main difference for you is going to be post-op recovery time. If you have a general anesthetic, you will prob go home sooner. With a spinal we require our patients to stay until the spinal wears off. Depending on the medication that is used, that can be anywhere from 4-6 hours. Also, if you have a tendency to have motion sickness, you will be more apt to have post-op nausea with a general, which can be treated with meds. Anyway, just voice your concerns to your anesthesiologist in the morning and together you will come up with the best plan for you. Good Luck

DisDoc

 

[winniedapooh]

I just had a knee repair, meniscus included and I went under. I am working on knee surgeries in the teens and cannot imagine not being put under?? I did not know they did it any other way, not that I am volunteering! Good luck, remember ice is your friend and take your pain meds!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I would do an epidural if I had the choice and hopefully they will give you some versed as well so you do not remember the surgery and call it a day..

I worry about general anesthesia......the breathing tube and all... but my DH had a huge surgery and they gave him general and he did fine. I just think if you can do it will less, then why not..

Good luck with your surgery..

 

[kilee]

I work for a group of 30+ anesthesologists-- so I have a lot of exposure to this.

Like someone else mentioned an epidural and spinal are different things. Personally, I'd go for general-- but I really don't want to remember anything- I'd be to anxious. There are sedatives they can give you w/ an epidural or spinal- but they tend to make me just as sick as general- so I may as well not remember anything.

I think it's a very personal choice. One thing I can tell you-- ask your anesthesologist or ortho about getting a nerve block afterwards for pain control. They are becoming very popular- and the recovery time- and nil pain are huge benefits. They are real big for knee and shoulder surgeries now.

 

[Temair]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I ended up with a general due to egg allergies and possible conflicts with some anesthesia. I also ended up with a totally different surgery. Turns out i torn the cartilage about 3 weeks ado and didn't know it. So they did a repair, removed a plica, and shortened my ACL. So recovery time went from 2 days to 1 month.