What type of anaesthesia will be used?
The anaesthetist will discuss the options with the patient. A person’s general health is often considered before proposing a specific type of anaesthesia. Two types are commonly used for arthroplasty: general or regional. The medication for general anaesthesia is injected into the bloodstream, which carries it to the brain and results in your being unconscious. The anaesthetist controls your airway and breathing during this time. A regional anaesthetic is usually given in the spine providing pain relief in the lower extremities. You remain awake and breathing during the operation, if necessary some sedation can be used as required by the patient.
