When you get anaesthetised

When you need to be anaesthetised for joint replacement surgery, there are two possibilities. Under both types of anaesthesia we'll keep an eye on your heart, blood pressure and breathing, and you'll get a drip in your hand or arm.

The one option is an epidural and it is the preferred form of anaesthetic. The anaesthetic is placed in the lower part of the lumbar spine. In this way, the nerves that supply your lower body are anaesthetised. The feeling of cold and pain disappear, but not feeling of deeper movements. It's best compared to local anaesthesia at the dentist, when you can't feel pain, but you feel yourself being moved about.

Before the operation starts we test whether the anaesthesia is working adequately. Many are worried about the sounds in the theatre, and that you can see the actual surgery. There will be a cover in front of your chest, so you can't see the operating area. It is possible to listen to music during the surgery and you can also get some relaxing medication which allows you to doze off during the operation.

An epidural is a gentle and relatively side effect free anaesthesia, and will be the preferred method for most patients.

The second option is general anaesthesia. This is done by you getting anaesthetics injected into the drip you have in your hand or arm. Thereafter, you will fall asleep and sleep through the operation.

While you sleep the anaesthetist will help to control your breathing, using a small tube which is led down into your airways. This can sometimes cause hoarseness or a sore throat which, like an ordinary sore throat, will disappear in a matter of days.

When the operation is over you'll be woken up in the operating theatre. After both types of anaesthesia you'll be taken to the recovery ward where you'll stay until you feel well and don't feel pain, so you can be taken back to the ward.