Spinal Anesthesia for Joint Replacement Surgery

In this video, Dr. Fontes discusses why he uses spinal anesthesia instead of general anesthesia for joint replacement surgery.

[@MarkMeansLMFT]

Man, I needed to hear this. Revision next Wednesday. I was afraid I would be awake and aware more than I wanted to be. This was great!

[@bryanjones6546]

Looking at this for total R Knee replacement next month. My main concern was being awake and not really wanting to be and you covered that. Thank you!

[@bradleywittlief2775]

Doctor Fontes did my partial knee replacement in 2015. Very nice guy!!!

[@20906md]

omg thank you!! I have hip surg sched for later this week and just had my preop with my surgeron and it wasnt until that appt, I was told I would be given a spinal block (i panicked as i only have 1 child and did not have epidural to deliver- was scared of it). He explained to me why its better but i was still nervouse about the pain of feeling the needle going in past the numbed skin and entering in my spine and not fully getting what he said. YOUR explanation was much more detailed and has greatly put my mind at ease.. I thought i would be sedated (super druggerd and semi awake) and still able to hear all the sounds. I want to count down, sleep and wake up in an instant so now I get it, I will be unaware. Thanks again!

[@Jillrussell-mj4yw]

Thankyou for this. I have surgery next week and have been nervous so this helps

[@robertjones3406]

Thank you so much for thi information. In three weks i am having a hip replaced and have been reading as much as i could and untill know not aware of the spinal block used. Great to her this first hand from a very well spoken surgeon and look forward to know my proceedure.

[@Seigan200]

Thank you !! Getting surgery next week and was told I’m getting a spinal and I almost shit myself lol … thank you for this video I feel at ease now

[@brandonwood7973]

Thank you so much for this video I have total hip replacement surgery in 10 days and am getting a spinal and wasn't sure what in was entirely. I feel much more comfortable now.

[@gibbeys]

Had left TKR about 3 weeks ago. My anesthesiologist recommended spinal anesthesia / nerve block and I went with his suggestion. I advised I had no interest in being awake during the procedure and wasn’t. I would say pain control was good, and only one instance of break through pain before discharge. I will say my bladder was a bit slow in returning to normal functions, but I understand that’s not unusual. No complaints.

[@fpvrcstuff]

I had a Left Knee Total Joint replacement two years ago and the only thing that hurt was that dam spinal injection, and I was fully awake during the whole proceedure. I went in at 10:20 am and was home at 6:30pm that night . I was out on my riding mower the next day cutting my front lawn, in about three weeks I was doing everything as if I had a normal Knee. The only thing that I have found is I have to wear a knee pad when I'm working in my garage on concrete floor .

[@margaretflack2091]

Thankyou you have convinced me, have surgery on the 28 th April .

[@adventureswithmynavyseal5270]

Next week Dr Leone in Fort Lauderdale is doing my postural total hip replacement as I broke my hip 12 yrs ago and had 3 screws put in. Now have AVN. Kinda scared

[@estelleadamski308]

I had a THR 4 yrs ago, The DR wanted to give me a spinal. NO WAY! I refused, he wasn't very happy and I thought his attitude a bit rude . He acted like I was making a big mistake.. I had general anesthesia and did fine. I'm facing a TKR in a few mos. due to a injury, I have no arthritis, but, have a pelvic tilt which was what caused my hip to be bone on bone. Anyway I am sure the DR will try to convince me to have a spinal again. I've had 2 c-sections and had spinals and disliked them. I don't feel like fighting a anesthetist again. That's what I hate!

[@trishayamada807]

I tried to have spinal anesthesia for my 3 deliveries, but they weren’t working because I have scoliosis and they couldn’t get the catheter in a good spot and I ended up all three times with intense head pain. Never again.

[@estelleadamski308]

@@trishayamada807 When I had my 2, 40 yrs. ago the nurses made you lay on your back and NOT lift your head either for 8 hrs. Rough, but, luckily I never got the headache.

[@trishayamada807]

@@estelleadamski308 they make epidurals sound so easy peasy, and it’s not always. I’m sure it’s ok for some. I’d never try again. My mom had three c-sections in the late 60s to early 70s and she had been given so much anesthetic in her epidurals she stopped breathing in all three. I think we just aren’t meant for them in my family. The anesthesiologist is the one who discovered that I have spinal hemangiomas. He had me get a ct or mri, I don’t remember. He was so good. And not only was my spine curved the vertebrae were twisted. It’s not bad scoliosis per se, it just makes the epidural tricky.

[@christineheadley]

I plan to have a spinal and remain awake during surgery. Is this OK?

[@rosemarysamalack792]

Great info

[@Clarkson350]

I had several colonoscopies without sedation. Propofol leaves you groggy for hours if not feeling funny for days.

[@mikeybinsd]

Spinal block--its narly

[@PetsNPatients]

What about nerve blocks for hip replacements?

[@westwasbest]

You explained well the difference between both anesthetics, however, you don't indicate why you prefer to use one over the other with the exception of excess of mental instability after the general, what else is your reasoning for using spinal versus general?

[@floyd8033]

I want to be awake