Orthopedic Anesthesia In Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Trinity Medical Associates provides comprehensive and specialized anesthesia care for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures. We are leaders in orthopedic anesthesiology in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and have specialty certifications (fellowships) in nerve blocks. We work with many orthopedic surgeons and patients that see and understand the value of having a nerve block that is administered by properly trained specialists.

All anesthesiologists with Trinity Medical Associates have completed a regional anesthesia fellowship, meaning they were trained and have specialty certification in nerve blocks. Regional anesthesia is a technique that targets or anesthetizes a specific location of the body, which is commonly referred to as a nerve block.

There are options when it comes to anesthesia. Before having orthopedic surgery, many patients have the option to receive a nerve block administered prior to surgery. In most cases, a nerve block provides patients with the best possible anesthesia by utilizing the latest techniques in anesthesiology.

A nerve block is ideal for orthopedic surgeries because most procedures are done on a leg or arm/shoulder, which are effective locations for nerve blocks. One of our anesthesiologists can then administer a nerve block prior to surgery to limit pain up to 72 hours post-surgery, which enables multiple benefits to the patient. All of Trinity Medical Associates’ anesthesiologists work closely with your orthopedic surgeon to optimize the perioperative care given to patients in Dallas and Fort Worth.

There are many types of orthopedic surgeries and not every type warrants a nerve block. In most spine surgeries, for example, a nerve block is not an option. In this case, Trinity Medical Associates works with you and your surgeon to present the best options for surgery. This may include a specialized pain control regimen consisting of a multi-modal low opioid approach.

An orthopedic anesthesiologist is used for many types of surgeries. The most common orthopedic procedures for a nerve block are as follows:

• Total Knee Replacement
• ACL Reconstruction Surgery and MPFL Repair Surgery
• Rotator Cuff Repair
• Biceps Repair
• Triceps Repair
• Shoulder Replacement
• Ankle and Foot Surgery
• Achilles Tendon Repair
• Clavicle Fracture
• Arm Fractures (humerus, radius, ulnar)
• Leg Fractures (femur, tibia, fibula)

Some benefits of a Nerve Block are:

• Patients who receive a nerve block don’t feel as much pain and therefore usually require less of the “heavier” medications used in general anesthesia.  This can result in fewer medication side effects such as oversedation, nausea, vomiting, and confusion (post-operative cognitive dysfunction).
• Patients who receive a nerve block report being more satisfied with  their surgical experience
• Patients may continue to breathe on their own and may not require assistance from a ventilator.
• Patients commonly wake up from sedation quicker and feel less residual effects of anesthetics.
• Some types of nerve block provide pain relief well after the surgery is over. This can reduce the need for opioids pain medications.
• In certain types of surgery patients experience reduced stress response, less blood loss, and a lower incidence of developing blood clots after the operation.
• When the nerve block is administered before surgery, there is evidence this can have the beneficial effect of lowering the chance of surgical infection.