Patient info

Anaesthesia

Many of these anaesthetists will have worked with your surgeon for a long period of time and are familiar with all types of orthopaedic procedures.

Our surgeons use some of the most experienced anaesthetists in South Australia

Many of these anaesthetists will have worked with your surgeon for a long period of time and are familiar with all types of orthopaedic procedures. While we endeavour to provide as much information as possible in the lead up to your surgery, we encourage you to ask your doctor and anaesthetist questions at any time.

Pre-operative visit

Depending on factors such as age, overall health status, and the type of surgery to be performed, your doctor may arrange for you to see the anaesthetist prior to your hospital admission. This allows your anaesthetist to record a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and order further tests if required, before your scheduled date for surgery.

Generally, your anaesthetist will see you in hospital the night before or on the day of surgery. He or she will discuss the type of anaesthetic to be used and the associated risks. Post-operative pain relief management will also be discussed at this time.

Orthopaedic surgeon in navy suit explaining knee joint anatomy using educational model during patient consultation

You will need to tell your anaesthetist about

  • Your current health status and medications used (remember to bring these with you)
  • Previous surgical procedures and anaesthetic history
  • Reactions to medications or known allergies
  • Heart or lung problems
  • Dentures, caps or loose teeth

Fasting

You will be fasting before the operation. This means no intake of food or fluids for specified number of hours before your operation. Your surgeon will let you know how long you need to fast. Fasting is done to prevent the accidental aspiration (inhalation) of vomited stomach contents into the lungs while under anaesthesia.

If you don’t fast, surgery may have to be cancelled and rescheduled.

Types of anaesthesia

General anaesthesia

For General Anaesthesia intravenous drugs are given via a needle into your arm. The anaesthetist will constantly monitor you during your operation and additional drugs / anaesthetic gases will be given to maintain your unconscious state. At the conclusion of your surgery you will be taken to recovery for further monitoring before returning to your room.

Regional anaesthesia

Depending on the area of the body to be operated on, regional anaesthesia can eliminate the need for a general anaesthetic. A drug is injected into a specific region and the surrounding area is numbed allowing surgery to take place. Sometimes a light sedation is given in combination with regional anaesthesia.

Neurolept

Intravenous sedation may be given to relax the patient prior to, or during a procedure. This type of sedation can induce a light sleep. You will be comfortable but easily roused if required, during the procedure. Local Anaesthesia

Local anaesthetic 

An injection of local anaesthetic is used to numb the area for surgery. Many dental procedures are done under local anaesthetic. While you will be awake during the procedure you will not be aware of any pain or sensation in the immediate area.

Have questions? We're here to help.

Your records and your care: important information for patients

Doctors will cease consulting patients at Orthopaedics SA from 1 June 2026 and Orthopaedics SA will also be closing down permanently from this date. We want to make sure all of our patients understand what this means for their ongoing care and any medical records held by Orthopaedics SA.

What is happening to my records? Your records will transfer to your surgeon’s new practice on 1 June 2026, so they remain accessible to them as your treating doctor. If your surgeon is retiring, we will transfer your records to the new practice and surgeon they have nominated to continue your care.

What if I don’t want my records transferred? You have the right to opt out. To do so, please contact our rooms:

  1. on 8267 8267 during our business hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (SA time), Monday to Friday; or
  2. by replying to this email: info@orthosa.com.au; or
  3. in person, at your usual Orthopaedics SA clinic,

on or before Friday, 1 May 2026 to discuss your options. We will need to verify your identity, before discussing your records with you. If we do not hear from you by that date, we will proceed with the transfer as described above. We encourage you to speak with your surgeon well ahead of this date, to obtain details of the new practice and how it will handle your personal information.

What if I have more questions? Please contact our clinic directly using the number you already have on file.

Thank you for being a patient of Orthopaedics SA.