Any one know what nerve block is as I'm due to have TKR on the 24th of this month and still don't know what to do Anaesthetic or nerve block could it be an epidural which is injection in the spine and you stay awake has anyone had this just after a bit of advice please .
Hi Eileen, I'm having a spinal for my knee replacement on 1st March. I too am slightly confused about the spinal because I imagined it was the same thing as an epidural, but have since understood that it's not the same thing? I do know they put some numbing gel on where they inject into the spine, and I'm told that the recovery from this is far quicker than from a general, so the aim is to get you up and about as quickly as possible. I believe you can also have a sedative that will make you a bit 'removed' from the situation so you won't be anxious. Also, I gather (please anyone tell me if this is wrong!) that a pankiller can also be injected into the spine which is more effective. You can also have earphones if you don't want to hear the noise of your operation. A screen is put up so you can't see.
I had the epidural, and had no problems. I, too, had great misgivings and anxiety about it, but they were proven unfounded.
As I understand it, it's preferred over general anesthesia because there is much less risk and it doesn't take nearly as long to recover from. With general, people will sometimes wake up nauseous, and it could take a day or so just to move past that, whereas with an epidural, you can be and actually about in a matter of an hour or so.
Perhaps everyone's procedure is different, but they gave me drugs to calm me down and to block the whole experience from memory (probably not how it works, but that was the effect). I remember everything up until going into the surgical suite, then nothing until I woke up. I have no memory whatsoever of the procedure.
So, don't worry about it. If you're still anxious, talk to your doc. Or, if you can wait until the day of the surgery, talk to the anesthesiologist, who will visit with you prior to the surgery. They will explain exacly what they will do and asure you that it will be fine.
Yes eileen , I had a epidural when i had my t k r , it was no problem what so ever, no side affects at all , in fact it was a nice way 2 go 2 sleep .
ian
I had a revision on Nov 28th and they did femor block plus epidural and general anesthesia. It worked really well
I'm also confused Chris I had my pre op last week and they said would you like to have general Anaesthetic or an epidural with sedative and ear phones then on this forum i heard a few talking about nerve blocks so maybe there the same thing someone else might pop up with some advice good luck to you Chris hope all goes well your very brave I need to be put asleep lol
go with general anestheia
Eileen, I hope yours goes very well too - do let us know, and any tips will be good!:-)))) To be honest, when I was going for the pre op I intended asking for a general but when they talked to me about it it changed my mind really, and they gave me a useful leaflet about it that took away my worries (mainly would the spinal hurt!), so I'm pretty relaxed about it now. I've always been interested in knowing what's going on and happy to watch root canals in teeth being done, in a mirror, so am sort of fascinated about this, but not sure I want to watch LOL!
Tkr/pkr are either SPINAL or general not epidural. The injection is given thru a catheter into the SPACE around your spine. They numb u b4 the needle sticks you and a soft pliable catheter is threaded in for administration of meds. The iv in ur arm gives you meds to put u to sleep "conscious sedation". You breathe on ur own. This type of anesthesia traditionally has less complications. U wake up faster and moving quicker. Its called a nerve block because it blocks a specific area on down from the injection. You feel nothing below the level even if u were awakw BUT the sedative to sleep eliminates that. My friend woke up in her surgery, no panic, said it was" interesting". I never woke w mine.
Hope this helps. Google epidural and spinal and the picture will make sense.
I have tried to link exercise sites and othe great educational stuff but this blog blocked them all 
The nerve block is placed in your thigh to block pain from your TKR. I had it up until about 4 days after surgery. It helped a lot to getting started with PT. You will love it. About the third day, it started leaking so I pulled it out the next day because the medication was running out and the pain was better. You do have to carry around a small pack that carries the medication. It was kind of a pain.
Thanks for the clarification.
I would suggest that folks ask a lot of questions before you decide. There is lot of misinformation out there. I'm a good example of that.
Thank you AuntEG:-)))))) I hadn't realised the sedative put you to sleep - they said I could listen to music but maybe 'as I drift off' LOL!
Anna, thank you too! I thought the nerve block was in the spinal stuff - had no idea it was something else! This group is a mine of information!
Hi Eileen, I don't think you can have an epidural because it doesn't go down far enough. I recommend nerve block because it will still be numb after you get out of surgery and the pain won't be as bad. I was leary getting it because when I was 25 I had a terrific headache but I was told it is not as likely when you are older (I am 65).
it was fine this time no headache. Hope this helps
good luck on your surgery
robin
I had the both. The nerve block is to block the main nerve in the leg. The doctor it around the growing area. They also put u to sleep. The block helps big time after the surgery. Helps with the pain of the incision and the muscles. It's worth it
Thanks I will
I had a block done and I was still put asleep.I did however wake up and I could hear the drills. I had no pain though and they quickly put me back out. The reason for the block was because I still had a cough going on from a cold that was almost over. They tod me the block wouldn't irrate my lungs as much.
You are brave Chris I've had epidural when I had my 2nd child it was amazing didn't feel a thing but with my 3rd child it never worked they did warn me it probably wouldn't as it has to go in the exact same spot on your spine so that's what's put me off . I'll keep you informed Chris take care
I had one knee done with a general and the other with an epidural . The recovery with the epidural was much better than with the general . I had headphones listening to music . Definitly go for the epidural .
I'm confused don't know what to do now I'll probably change my mind at the last minute lol