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Let's Talk About Anesthesia

There are many forms of anesthesia. Some types of anesthesia will help you sleep through your surgery so you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Other forms of anesthesia will make you numb from the waist down during the surgical procedure. Depending upon your physical condition, medical history, current medication regimen, type of procedure your doctor has ordered and many other factors, the IOS surgical/anesthesia team will recommend the anesthesia choices deemed most appropriate for you.

Prior to your surgery, you will have an opportunity to meet with your surgeon and anesthesiologist (a doctor who administers anesthesia) and/or a nurse anesthetist. At this time, they will review your surgery/procedure, discuss anesthesia options with you and answer any questions you may have about your surgery. It's normal to feel a bit anxious prior to surgery, but know that your IOS surgical team is here to help reassure you and address any concerns you may have. After the meeting, you will be asked to sign surgical consent forms, including a consent for anesthesia services that details a plan for anesthesia services during your surgery and your understanding of the scheduled anesthesia services.

Anesthesia services administered at the INSTITUTE FOR ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY (IOS) include:

General Anesthesia

This form of anesthesia provides a total unconscious state to the patient. It is administered via a drug injected into the bloodstream (an IV or intravenous route), or breathed into the lungs or via other routes. Frequently with this form of anesthesia, a tube is placed into the windpipe for airway management during the surgery. After surgery, the tube is removed. A patient may experience some throat pain or hoarseness after this form of anesthesia.

Spinal or Epidural Analgesia/Anesthesia

Patients receiving this form of anesthesia will experience a temporary loss of feeling and/or movement in the lower part of the body. Unlike a general anesthesia, this form of anesthesia allows the patient to breathe on their own during the surgery. During a spinal or epidural, medication is administered through a needle or catheter inserted near nerves (in the spine or back, or space around the spinal cord). The medication blocks the sensation of pain to a body region or provides a loss of sensation to the surgical site.

Major/Minor Nerve Block

With this form of anesthesia, patients experience a temporary loss of feeling and/or movement of a specific limb or area. During a nerve block, medication is administered through a needle or catheter that has been inserted near nerves. The medication blocks the sensation of pain to a body region or provides a loss of sensation to the surgical site.

Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

This form of anesthesia provides a temporary loss of feeling and/or movement of a limb. It is administered via a drug injected into the veins of an arm or leg while using a tourniquet.

Monitored Anesthesia Care

This form of anesthesia gives the patient a partial or total amnesia state that reduces anxiety and pain during the surgical procedure. The patient's vital signs or monitored continuously and anesthesia staff are in attendance for further intervention is needed. This semi-conscious state is administered via a drug injected into the bloodstream, breathed into the lungs or by other routes.

The anesthesia team at IOS is comprised of highly trained anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). These doctors and nurses are specifically trained in administering anesthesia. The anesthesia delivery model at IOS uses CRNAs delivering anesthesia who are directly supervised by the anesthesiologist or surgeon. If you have any concerns or questions about anesthesia services, please talk to your surgeon or the IOS surgical team.

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