Please complete the the online questionnaire before your operation here.

You will be given a general anaesthetic for this procedure. This means you are given some medicine to aid becoming unconscious, along with some medicines to relieve pain and reduce the chance of feeling sick after your surgery. This is usually initially given through a drip (IV cannula) in your hand or arm. Once you are 'asleep' a breathing device/tube will be inserted to keep your breathing safe during the operation. For larger or fusion procedures, with your consent, Dr Hunt sometimes performs a nerve block to improve your pain relief. This is often done when you are asleep, with the aid of an ultrasound machine to improve safety. The medications are stopped at the end of the procedure and you wake up once the procedure is over. You are transferred to the recovery ward where further pain medications are given if required.

Following your operation oral pain relief and medications to treat nausea will be prescribed. Usually patients are given regular paracetamol and anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications as well as a limited supply of stronger pain medications (often opioids) to go home with.

Please see risks or anaesthesia for more information here.