I would like to know if it is posible to have an epidural in place of a general anesthetic for a knee replacement

[Mary1965]

[LavendarLady]

Hi Mary. Speak to your consultant about it - he is the best person to advise. I had a spinal block and ankle block recently for an operation on my foot which was brilliant. I have had friends who have had spinal blocks for knee ops but as I said, speak to your surgeon about it. LavendarLady x

[allanah]

I think you would have to chat to the surgeon and anaesthetist about that one. I imagine there is a lot of bashing and stuff though to replace the knee which might be difficult whilst awake, don't know just guessing.

Are you worried about anaesthetic? If so you can talk to the anaesthetist and anaesthetic nurse before the op and ask loads of questions . If your worried about say being sick they can give you a very effective, and expensive, anti sickness drug too.

Hope you get your answers soon and good luck with the op and getting rid of that knee pain .Ax

[mattcass]

Hi Mary1965, Tony dall05 from BLF page is in discussion with his anaesthetist re; using epidural for a minor op, Will ask him and get back to you.Mattcass

[m1a2c3 in reply to mattcass]

hi mattcass you sure can have a spinal for a knee replacement even although its a major opp , only had one done 17 days ago well recommended , with a very pleasing result

[Hidden]

When I had my ankle op there was talk of doing it by epidural and I'm pretty sure that some of the hip replacements were done by epidural block so it is definitely worth asking.

[hatshepsut]

I'm having a knee replacement in 2 weeks, and all being well will be having a spinal.

Last op I had was on my foot, and the anaesthetist refused to give me a general, due to my RA, so I ended up with a spinal. So this time I asked at my pre op appt to have a spinal, as it was so much better. They have said it's ok, but I have to be prepared to have a general if there are any problems during the op.

When are you likely to have it done? I'll let you know how it goes, my op is on the 18th. M x

[lab-lover]

I did..and it was very surreal....alas they put up a curtain, so I couldnt watch..but had great chat with the anesthetist, any way, come the hammering, part, cos I have a few bellies, I could feel them wobble.... seriously, no problems, and of course no sickeness afterwards..was up the next day, so I would recommend

[m1a2c3 in reply to lab-lover]

me too ,slept most of it lol, did hear hammering but didn't think it could have been me at the time , got up a few hours later with no probs x

[Hidden]

definately would recommend!!! I was given a little sedation and listened to my music. yes I heard a few things but to be so alert after and of course the risks are much less than with a general aneasthetic.

Hope you get all the information you need to make the best choice for you

Sal

[jillab]

Hi Mary, as others have said you should speak to your surgeon,I don't know what area you are from, but I'm from Weston super Mare, and my husband had a total knee replacement and I have had a total hip replacement, and we both had an epidural, in fact the surgeon recommended us to. I guess it matters who your surgeon is, and your own condition, and any other problems you may have, Good Luck. J.

[Hidden]

I had a knee replacement 3 weeks a go & had a spinal block with sedation - I didn't know anything about it!

[dbestdeb]

Is there a reson that people with RA shouldn't have anesthesia?

[LavendarLady]

No reason that I am aware of. I had spinal and ankle blocks as I don't do general anaesthetics well and am very ill after as allergic to morphine. The blocks were brilliant and I would always have them again unless it was for major internal surgery. I didn't have any sedation but the anaesthetist said he would give me some if I felt I needed it. Very strange sensation as I was aware when they lifted my leg up but couldn't feel anything else. I had a screen between me and the surgeon so chatted to the anaesthetist who was sitting beside me monitoring everything. All over and done with within the hour and once back in the ward, had a very welcome mug of tea and a ham sandwich which I couldn't have had if I had had a general.

My daughter in law had an epidural recently to have polyps removed from her womb which were causing problems. She couldn't have a general as suffers from sleep apneoa and they were not prepared to take the risk. She was home the same day.

LavendarLady x

[m1a2c3]

had a tkr only 17 days ago , had a spinal with a little sedation , I was worried about having a spinal but the team were great , we all had a laugh while the needle was put in ,you get a strange feeling in your legs , at that point I was lying down , still having a laugh about the fact I couldn't move my legs or lift them up ,next I remember was being pushed in to theatre , then a little hammering and a cover over my face ,next I was being told your going back to the ward now ,feeling very awake and not at all sleepy , so off to the ward I went just in time for lunch , followed by visitors . only a few hours later I was got up and sat on a chair .the team I had made me relaxed, all things considered and would recommend this to any one .I was in hospital 4 days including the day of surgery .I also will have to have my other knee done only next time I will not worrie at all , so good luck for yours ,hope all goes well xx

[Mary1965]

thankyou every one for your replies regarding epidural in knee replacement, they were very helpfull. mary1965

[dmc12]

Hi,

I am 43 years old and in the last two years I have both knees replaced using a spinal block and sedation . The spinal block is very similar to an epidural and I had a lot of sedation as I did not want to hear what they were doing. I knew nothing of the operation and both of my surgeons wanted to do the operations this way as the recovery is a lot quicker so I am sure they will consider it for you. Best of luck. Donna

[Hawkeye52]

i had this because of a heart problem, i felt no pain during the operation but was in a lot of pain in recovery when they undo the block, i did have some stuff to relax me but it had worn off by then, my advice is to ask what pain relief you can immediately afterwards. on the plus side i have almost completely recovered from the surgery and am getting some good benefits.

[binlid]

i have had spinal injection for a knne op was fantastic watched op on screen and chatted with consultant no coming round bright as button home same day would recomend

[joan_w]

I am in the UK and I have to fight to have a general anaesthetic for the total knee replacement I had last year. I do not want an epidural but the anaesthetists really want to use it.

[Hidden]

I went that route... but I ended up being put under because it proved to be too hard of a surgery for me. I was moving around or at least trying with my upper body.. they gave me a sedative along with the epidural...just enough to make me sleep but it just wasn't working for me. When I woke up, I had a catheter in my bladder...my lower body wouldn't move and I felt no pain at all.. that was an added benefit... so if you can go that way and make it through, I would recommend it because being put under can make you pretty sick when you wake up. You feel out of it all day long. Good luck on your surgery. I do hope that it goes well for you.