local or general? - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

pinkpenny1uk · 01-26-2007, 09:31 AM

hi there,
i was diagnoised with cubital tunnel in may last year after have nerve conduction tests. i have had a phone call this afternoon offering me a place to have it operated on on monday (someone cancelled). so i am going in first thing monday morning to have it done.
the thing i would like to know if anyone out there as already had the op, is can you have it done with a local anasthetic or does it have to be general?
i ask because at the original consultation i was told i could have it under local and yet the women i spoke to has me down as having a general.
i suffer with anxiety and panic attacks and whilst i am quiet calm about the op itself, i am starting to panic at the thought of having to be put to sleep.
so much so if i can't be reassurred about having it with a local i'm thinking in terms of cancelling.

has anyone out there had this op under local? and if so can you explain abit about it.

many thanks in advance
penny

urosepsis · 02-02-2007, 05:05 PM

Hi Penny,
I just had my CTS on the left 4 days ago. I had a local and do not plan on doing that again on the right. I had pain with the procedure and the sensation of scraping through the ligament. The neurosergeon had to keep injecting local throughout the surgery to keep me on the table. He is the best surgeon in my area and also suggested a change in anesthesia for the next arm. Not trying to scare you but, I would suggest having an anesthesiologist available for conscious sedation. They can keep you at a level of sedation that does not require intubation with propofol, versed, fentanyl, etc. I thought I would tough it out but the sensation of the scaping made me sick to my stomch, freaking me out more than the actual pain. OR nurses will only give a mg or two of versed but an anesthesiologist will be able to keep you under without the need for a general.

Uro

HURTEN · 02-03-2007, 02:34 PM

I HAD WHATS CALLED A BEER BLOCK.
THE WRAP A TURNAKIT AROUND YOUR ARM TO STOP CIRCULATION AND THEN THEY NUMB YOU. I DIDNT FEEL A THING BUT FOR THREE DAYS I HAD NO FEELING AND NO MOVMENT IN MY HAND AND FINGERS. I THINKI WOULD HAVE PREFERRED GENERAL WHERE THEY PUT YOU TO SLEEP.
THATS THE WAY I WOULD GO.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU A LITTLE
GOOD LUCK
HURTEN

I STILL HAVE PAIN AND ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS AND I STILL HAVE TO GET MY OTHER HAND DONE

marze · 02-03-2007, 07:51 PM

I have had this done and it was under general ansthethia and it all came out fine and was able to go home that same day. I hope you keep your surgery becuase the longer you put it off the worse it is going to get.

NYD · 02-11-2007, 01:17 PM

I had the local, and good lord did it hurt later that night and next two days. I just had it done on Thursday, and just now is the pain gone. But, it has NOT fixed the numbing that I get when I sleep.

I would get put out for sure the next time, if there is one. I don't see me getting the other hand done as it has not fixed the problem.