With the lows reaching down into the 40s, you might not be able to feel your feet! Another reason for not able to feel your feet and legs is because of anesthesia. If you are getting a foot procedure done there is a good chance that you will be put under some type of anesthesia. Not all numbing techniques are the same, and certain ones are used primarily for certain types of procedures.
Surgeons use anesthesia to take away your body’s ability to feel pain. This allows them to operate freely on you without harming or causing you any discomfort. There are different type of anesthesia that offer different benefits depending on your unique situation.
- Local anesthetic: A local anesthetic is used in procedures that are on an outpatient basis (for example, a bunionectomy). This type of numbing technique renders only a certain part of your body unable to feel pain. You will still be awake for the procedure and you will be able to feel touch, but without any discomfort.
- Regional anesthetic: This is somewhat like a local anesthetic where you are still awake, but it can be used to numb larger portions of your body, for example the entire foot.
- Peripheral nerve blocks: This type of anesthetic offers minimal side effects and less post-operative pain. There are different types of nerve blocks, such as the hallux block (used in ingrown toenail removal) and the ankle block (used for midfoot procedures).
- General anesthesia: With general anesthesia you are “put under,” which means you lose consciousness and are not awake for the procedure. This type may be used for things such as tumor removal or operating on an open foot fracture. You will be put on an IV and monitored very closely.
Although not all anesthetics are created equal, the thing they all share is preventing you from feeling pain while you are receiving medical care. If you have more questions about how anesthesia works or what type might be best for you please call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment with us at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
