[tvccrn]

I am not looking for medical advice and I know that I will meet with anesthesia before my surgery, but that is 6 weeks away and I was just curious about something the surgeon mentioned.

I am having ankle surgery and the doctor mentioned that inaddition to being under general the anesthesiologist would put in a "pain catheter with a ball of pain medicine" in the incision.

Does this mean it will stay in for a while after surgery or is this just for the procedure?

Is this basically something like PCA only without the patient control?

Again, I will be asking more questions when I meet with anesthesia, but was just wondering about this.

TIA

[stanman1968]

What they are speaking of is a nerve block with an indwelling catheter with a reservoir of pain medication in it.

[ready4crna?]

On-Q pump:

http://www.iflo.com/prod_onq_classic.php

This is what the ortho pod is referring to. The anesthesia provider or the orthopod may place it.

[tvccrn]

Thank you for the replies and the website! This helps and now I know what to ask when I talk with anesthesia.

[RN1980]

i believe he is referring to depodor ball/pump. you can google it and the info,good luck with surg....