LOCAL ANESTHESIA SURGERY (WIDE AWAKE SURGERY)
July 18, 2021
Paul Nielsen, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
What Does it Mean to Have Surgery with Local Anesthesia Only?
- You receive an injection of numbing medicine before surgery to numb up the area where the surgery is done
- Similar to numbing medicine at the dentist
- The numbing medicine lasts several hours after surgery
- No IV, sedation, or anesthesia gases
What Are the Advantages of Local Anesthesia Surgery?
- No risks of anesthesia since you do not even get sedation
- No pre-op physical, labs, or other tests required
- Continue taking all your normal medications
- You can eat before surgery with no fasting requirement
- Especially helpful for diabetic patients to avoid blood sugar highs or lows
- Allows testing during surgery by moving your hand to make sure the procedure has worked before you even leave the procedure room
- Lower cost by avoiding anesthesia
- Faster recovery after surgery
What Types of Surgery Can Be Performed with Local Anesthesia?
- Carpal tunnel releases
- Trigger finger releases
- Wrist tendonitis releases
- Finger cyst and mass excisions
- Finger fractures
- Fingertip injuries
- Many other procedures
Would you like to discuss local anesthesia only for your hand surgery? Call 308-865-2570 to schedule an appointment today. No referral required.
About the Author
Paul Nielsen, MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, elbow, and shoulder surgery at New West Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery in Kearney, NE.
