knee surgery anesthesia.

[fatfencer]

Can anyone tell me what the protocol is for knee surgery anesthesia? I'd like to educate myself more about it.

Im not much for going under; I even panic a bit when the dentist gives me laughing gas. Why cant I just enjoy it?

Did they put you under or do they use other methods? I dont like the idea of spinal blocks...people injecting the spine is not a good idea in terms of internal arts like taiji...its against everything I believe in.

SO I guess that leaves me with going under. eek. Im not enjoying that prospect.

Can anyone share their thoughts?

Fatfencer

[ReverseLunge]

So where is the design for the shoe?

[yeoldearmourer]

Has some one who as under gone several knees surgery on both knees I been put under for everone. One mintue you awake the next thing you know you in the recovery room. Dont take any offer of coffee or anything ask for ice chips instead. Believe me it no fun throwing up the coffee right away. Going under is the only way to go. I did the first one with a Valium drip and felted everything that went on but it was like being on could nine but i still felt them cutting into the knee but I could have give a damn about. Theapy will push you into walking as soon as possible. Good Luck

[Sciurus-Rex]

Tell your surgeon you don't want anesthesia. None at all. It will adversely affect your fencing later ... when your opponents find out you were such a weenie that you needed drugs to make it through a itsy-bitsy little girly "procedure."

[R. Exnicios]

Originally Posted by Sciurus-Rex

Tell your surgeon you don't want anesthesia. None at all. It will adversely affect your fencing later ... when your opponents find out you were such a weenie that you needed drugs to make it through a itsy-bitsy little girly "procedure."

Cosidering that they had to DRILL several holes in my upper and lower leg I more than happy to have been under completly. When I came out of the anesthesia I asked them why my palms were boh bruised. It was from gripping the bed rails so tightly!

go under! & when you come out repeat after me: "more morphine please!"

Cheers

[fencerbill]

With all the surveys they take on this site, why not one for this?

I say go under.

There are still a variety of ways they can "put you under". I won't say I am an expert, but I have had general anesthesia for six operations in the last six years. The second and third were for serious hernia reoccurrences. Both of those times I developed an ileus, or blocked intestine. It means 5-7 days in the hospital with a nasal gastric tube and going from 163 pounds down to 150. NOT recommended just for losing weight. The last, of four, for hernia was for a simple inguinal hernia. They kept it light, did the operation quickly, and no problems. The anesthesisa for my arthroscopic knee surgery last April was kept light and again everything went well.

So, be optimistic. If you are going for arthroscopic knee surgery, line up sports knowledgeable therapy before the operation and do it promptly and diligently. I thought with all my fencing activity I wouldn't need therapy but I was way wrong.

Good luck.

[JEC]

It really depends on the type of arthroscopic surgery. A regional block would be sufficient to remove free fragments, etc. However, if you are getting a repair ligament with a transplant (which implies drilling into bone), you better be under general anesthesia. I have had two knee surgeries and in both times I was offered a choice of anesthesia. I can assure you that the orthopedic surgeon feels more relaxed if you are under general anesthesia. I choose both time to be under general anesthesia.

[FencerMom]

You have 2 choices for anesthesia. A spinal or general anesthesia. They have their pros and cons. I've done both.
Spinal anestheia makes you numb from midchest down. They give you a medicine like Valium that totally relaxes you (Versed), and usually gives you amnesia, so you don't remember what went on. I've done it with and without the Versed. I was pretty nervous when I chose not to have it, but it was fascinating seeing the TV with them working on my knee (remember, I'm a doctor, so I get into all that stuff). The spinal is very safe. The only complication that is seen on an occasional basis is a spinal headache. That happens much less often than it used to, because they use tiny needles now. If you do get a spinal headache, they can fix it now. I prefer this surgery, because you don't have the general anesthetic hanging around in your body for a while. All the drugs are out within an hour after surgery with the spinal.
General anesthesia makes sure you don't know what is going on. You don't have to have a needle in your spine. A certain percentage of people get nausea and vomiting for up to 2 days later. They have also improved on this percentage. I have had general anesthesia twice. The first one I threw up for 2 days. The second one 2 months ago, I didn't have any. But I was really tired for 3 weeks after. I think that was due to the anesthesia more than the surgery.
If I had my knee worked on again, I would definately get the spinal with the versed. Also know any anesthesia in the operating room is very safe. It is extremely controlled with many checks and balances to ensure that everyone stays safe. Anesthesiologists have done a phenominal job making it as risk free as possible.
The orthopedic surgeons I know don't care what kind of surgery is done. The surgeon actually gave my daughter a VCR tape of her whole operation! Also, when you go to surgery, you will talk with the anesthesiologist and he will help you make the best decision for you.

[cameroncrazy323]

Im soooooooooooooooooooooooo getting general anesthesia when I have my surgery. Theyre going to have to connect my acl back together and repair my meniscus. I didnt even like regional anesthesia when I have had a couple of moles removed, although general would have been overkill. I do not know exactly how you connect the acl back, but I would imagine it's painful (I know it was when I tore it). I'm not sure if I should use donor tissue or my own for the acl reconstruction, though...any thoughts?

[fatfencer]

Originally Posted by ReverseLunge

So where is the design for the shoe?

Im still trying to find a firm to manufacture it. I''ve gotten as far as taking the leather and making patterns though. The trick is getting the midsole to bond as well as choosing the right kind of midsole. Extremely light but the right amount of cushion and bounce. Sings:' The most wonderful thing about Tiggers...."

When I actually find a firm I will order test samples for each size from 5-14US
They will have a special serial number like : A001(TestBatch)005(Size5US)FF(fatfencer)...though I dont much like the idea of y'all stepping on me.

Anywho, I've decided to create a contest of sorts. Winner gets a test pair free. Ill give out more details as soon as I get closer to manufacture.


"It's gotta be the shoe!!!"

Fatfencer

[ReverseLunge]

You're full of it.

[JEC]

Try loosing weight before surgery, if elective. Stick to the rehab program very seriously.

It is my understanding that most ACL reconstructions are autologous, meaning from yourself. Either from a ligament from the back of the leg or from the middle third of the patellar tendon. Cadaveric transplants are also an option. Fixating the transplant requires screws drilled into the tibia and femur bones.

Regarding anesthesia, it is not my specialty. The description above sounds like an epidural block at the spine level. There are also regional blocks used by field surgeons for leg and knee operations.


Crazycameron323, I like your signature, but our esteem webmaster, a tar heel graduate, probably would not.

[cameroncrazy323]

Hahaha Craig and I have had some discussions about Duke and Carolina.

I was wondering if there are any advantages or disadvantages to having the acl grafted from your own tissue or from a donor. To me it would seem like it would be easier for me to heal if I had donor tissue, but my tissue is only 18 years old and might be stronger.

[JEC]

If you get a transplant from your own, I would recommend from the back of the leg. That is what I chose for me. One common late complication of ACL repair is patellar tendonitis, and it is considerable worse if you used the tendon as the donor site. I prefer my own tissue due to a variety of reasons, none of which is definitive, but as most of medicine, are potential risks and benefits. The fact that there is choice between the two options tells you that it is not overwhelming evidence to favor one of them.

One important point: choose a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon. They are more tuned up to rehab you back to fencing. Good luck.

FYI: I was at Duke '93-'97 for residency and fellowship (DUMC) and I am a hard core DBB fan.

[TLH]

FencerMom has the scoop !! I personally had a knee done with spinal and no sedation - but they had some on hand to give me when the far wall of the operating room started radiating intense heat at me. And the versed or fentanyl that they gave me rendered me unable to understand the show going on on the TV from the inside of my knee.

Getting the spinal itself usually is not a big deal.

My last 2 procedures have been under general and it's like magic for most people. And I agree with FM that it's been improved and safer than ever with nicer drugs and better monitoring. Either option can work well. Get a recommendation from a friend, or your GP for a good anesthesiologist, and then follow their recommendation regarding your particular procedure. Good luck.

-TLH

[Sciurus-Rex]

I was unconscious for my knee surgery. One moment I was awake as the nurse told me, "You're going to feel drowsy..." The next, I'm being leveraged out of bed and sent home with my knee wrapped up.

I can offer some other advice, though, that most medical folk will forget: PREP YOUR DAILY LIFE AHEAD OF THE SURGERY. I'm talking about 'walking' through an average day on crutches to test for problem zones -- practice getting in and out of the bathtub, for example, or figure out how to carry a snack across the room without spilling a mess. Arrange your wardrobe now for the pants you'll need to deal with the bandage. Move items to lower shelves (test your balance and reach on one leg).

A work associate told me a year later that he resented me for acting as though it was easy to get around on crutches. I had plenty of upper body and arm strength, so it wasn't really a problem. He admitted to getting sore and tired all the time.

[fencerbill]

I was probably fortunate. Admittedly, it was only a meniscus tear repair. I was on two crutches the next day, one crutch the day after, a cane for a half day and then limped. No pain meds after twenty hours. It had stopped throbbing and was only discomfort.

[ThatReallyHurt]

I'd opt for general anesthetic... if you're out completely, you won't:

- remember anything
- have a chance of seeing someone cutting holes in you
- move another part of your body which may shift the area being operated on, possibly causing additional problems
- bother those working on you by asking them questions (especially stupid ones if you're half out of it)
- remember being naked in front of 7 or 8 people (depending on the operation)
- have to deal with questions from people asking you again and again "what was it like"?

[fatfencer]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

I was probably fortunate. Admittedly, it was only a meniscus tear repair. I was on two crutches the next day, one crutch the day after, a cane for a half day and then limped. No pain meds after twenty hours. It had stopped throbbing and was only discomfort.

How long after were you able to fence?
Fat...