• injections that numb a small part of your body
• you remain conscious but free from pain
• it can be used as the sole anaesthetic or for pain relief after an operation
• it is mostly carried out by your surgeon
• the injection may sting or burn a little
• it may need to be repeated (topped up) during the operation
• complications and risks see under: LA-risks

Surgical speciality dealing with the repair of bones, ligaments, cartilages and muscles. Joints may be replaced if they are worn out or badly damaged.

A patient is lying on the front (on the tummy or stomach). This may be required for procedures (injections) or operations on the back.

An injection is administered into the back or around nerves to numb a part of your body

The patient is conscious or sedated (sleepy) but free from pain

It may be preferrable to a general anaesthesia

The patient is monitored throughout the operation and anaesthesia, and the anaesthetist will be there at all times.

Advantages over general anaesthesias are: good pain relief, less drowsiness, less sickness, earlier food intake after the operation, some protection from blood clots

More information about regional anaesthesia

Spinal stands for spinal anaesthetic.

It is a single (one off) injection in the lower back. It is administered in a sitting or lying position.

Local anaesthetic is injected into the fluid which is surrounding the nerves travelling to the abdomen (tummy), genitals and the legs.

The local anaesthetic is numbing the lower part of the body to be able to carry out an operation.

A tablet is a small solid unit of medication that is taken by mouth, swallowed and absorbed in the stomach or gut.