“What type of anesthesia is used for heel surgery?”
I am a 48 year old male. I want to know what type of anesthesia is used for heel surgery?
5 Answers
At least 4 anesthesia options are available for surgery involving the lower part of the leg and foot:
(1) Local anesthesia: The surgeon injects a local anesthetic (e.g., "Lidocaine") into the tissues at/around the surgery site. Best for small procedures, such as removal of a skin lesion.
(2) Regional anesthetic: An anesthesiologist injects a local anesthetic around major nerves serving the extremity; in the case of the heel/foot, the anesthesiologist would seek to block branches of the femoral nerve and the sciatic nerve (usually performed at two injection sites using ultrasound guidance). Results in anesthesia ("numbing") of the lower leg and foot.
3. Neuraxial anesthesia (e.g., "spinal block"): An anesthesiologist makes an injection of a small amount of local anesthetic around the nerves coming from the lower end of the spinal cord. Results in anesthesia ("numbing") of the lower extremities.
4. General anesthesia: An anesthesia professional uses medications to induce unconsciousness for surgery; usually involves the insertion of an airway device, especially if the heel surgery requires prone ("face down") positioning.
The options are based on the patient's health history, size/length of surgery, and surgeon/anesthesiologist preferences. To make an informed decision, your best bet is to discuss these choices with your anesthesiologist and surgeon so they can create a surgical/anesthetic plan with knowledge of your health history and your needs/goals.
(1) Local anesthesia: The surgeon injects a local anesthetic (e.g., "Lidocaine") into the tissues at/around the surgery site. Best for small procedures, such as removal of a skin lesion.
(2) Regional anesthetic: An anesthesiologist injects a local anesthetic around major nerves serving the extremity; in the case of the heel/foot, the anesthesiologist would seek to block branches of the femoral nerve and the sciatic nerve (usually performed at two injection sites using ultrasound guidance). Results in anesthesia ("numbing") of the lower leg and foot.
3. Neuraxial anesthesia (e.g., "spinal block"): An anesthesiologist makes an injection of a small amount of local anesthetic around the nerves coming from the lower end of the spinal cord. Results in anesthesia ("numbing") of the lower extremities.
4. General anesthesia: An anesthesia professional uses medications to induce unconsciousness for surgery; usually involves the insertion of an airway device, especially if the heel surgery requires prone ("face down") positioning.
The options are based on the patient's health history, size/length of surgery, and surgeon/anesthesiologist preferences. To make an informed decision, your best bet is to discuss these choices with your anesthesiologist and surgeon so they can create a surgical/anesthetic plan with knowledge of your health history and your needs/goals.
If you are prone during your surgery then general, if you are supine, could be regional nerve block and conscious sedation
General with regional for post-op pain control.
Several options, either general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, peripheral nerve block, or local anesthesia.
Depends on the type and length of surgery and position needed by the surgeon. Can be done with regional anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or general anesthesia.
