For a hip replacement, the usual choices are spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia. A spinal anesthetic numbs the lower part of your body, so you stay awake but do not feel pain from the waist down. A general anesthetic makes you fully asleep during the operation. Some patients also get a sedative, which is medicine that helps you feel relaxed and sleepy. Other pain relief methods, like a nerve block or local anesthetic around the joint, may be used too.

The exact choice depends on your health, your surgery, and the plan your anesthesiologist and surgeon think is best. For hip replacement, regional or spinal anesthesia is often used, and general anesthesia is also a common option.

Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.