Spinal anesthesia, also known as spinal block, is a form of regional anesthesia that involves the administration of an anesthetic agent into the cerebral spinal fluid within the subarachnoid space. It was first successfully performed in 1898! It is commonly used to provide anesthesia for various surgical procedures below the level of the belly button, such as lower extremity surgeries.

During a spinal anesthesia procedure, the patient is typically seated on the edge of the bed. A local anesthetic is injected through a fine needle into the subarachnoid space, which is the space surrounding the spinal cord and filled with cerebrospinal fluid. After the injection is complete, everything is removed.

The anesthetic agent blocks the transmission of nerve signals, resulting in temporary loss of sensation and movement in the lower part of the body.

Spinal anesthesia provides a reliable and effective method of anesthesia with a rapid onset, profound surgical anesthesia, and predictable duration of action. It is generally well-tolerated and has a lower risk of complications compared to general anesthesia. However, like any medical procedure, it carries certain risks, such as hypotension (low blood pressure), headache, infection, and nerve damage, although these complications are relatively rare.

It is very important that you notify your CRNA if you take any blood thinning medication.

Overall, spinal anesthesia is a valuable technique used most commonly in lower joint replacement surgeries (total knee or hip replacement and cesarean sections (“c-sections”).