Please complete the the online questionnaire before your operation here.
The type of anaesthetic you receive for this operation will be tailored to your needs, preferences and medical conditions.
Often a spinal block is performed when you are awake. This has the benefit of you waking up completely numb with no pain. To make the operation a more pleasant experience, many patients are given heavy sedation or a general anaesthetic so they do not remember what happens. Additional nerve blocks are often performed (usually when you are asleep) to improved post operative pain.
The heavy sedation or general anaesthetic is usually given through a drip (IV cannula) in your hand or arm. Once you are 'asleep' a breathing device/tube may need to be inserted to keep your breathing safe during the operation. To measure your blood pressure carefully every second of your operation and if bloods tests are needed during your operation, sometimes a second cannula or smaller plastic straw is inserted in your artery when you are asleep. The medications are stopped at the end of the procedure and you wake up once the the procedure is over. You are transferred to the recovery ward where further pain medications are given if required.
In the first 24 hours after the operation, some patients are given a PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) or 'push button' so that can self determine the amount of pain relief they need. When you press the button you will receive a safe amount of intravenous opioid medication. Dr Hunt determines the controls of the pump so you will not overdose, so if you are sore, press the button. After that or immediately after the operation oral pain relief medications are given. Medication 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.
The Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetist (ANZCA) have produced an information handout “Anaesthesia for Joint Replacement Surgery" which is downloadable here.