Bunion/Osteotomy surgery - local vs. MAC anesthesia

Specialties Orthopaedic

Published

Specializes in PACU.

My foot pain has increased (even with various shoes and various orthotics) to the point that I am considering the bunion(osteomety) surgery in the near future. I’ve also got 2nd MTP joint synovitis/flexor plate injury on the same foot. The HMO foot doc I have been approved to see states the procedure is just like getting a tooth filled and that all I need is local anesthesia in the foot.

Side note: I had a really cool 5 week OR rotation while I was in nursing school. During that time the only ortho procedure I was scrub nurse on was a carpal tunnel release (under general anesthesia). And, well, that procedure seemed a bit more involved in general than just a tooth filling to me. And just the thought of having MY bone sawed while awake makes me a little queasy. I had this surgery 5 years ago on my other foot under MAC anesthesia with no problems.

Anyways, can anyone please share with me the patient’s experience having the bunion/osteotomy surgery under local foot anesthesia with 1 mg Ativan? Should I just shut up and stop being a wuss? Or could I appeal(beg) the foot doc for MAC anesthesia?

Thanks in advance for any advice/input.

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Specializes in OR.

where I work, bunionectomies are done frequently with MAC and a block

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