though, is much different. They have the blocks, the pre-op cocktail,
the pain pump, and the post-op narcotics."
Almost all experts tout multimodal anesthesia for these procedures.
Dr. Kohen says that his patients are given a pre-op pain cocktail that
typically includes Celebrex or IV acetaminophen to "take the edge
off." Then anesthesia providers deliver multiple blocks, typically a sci-
atic and a femoral block for knee replacements. Dr. Berger notes that
while inpatient procedures rely on general anesthesia to paralyze a
patient, the use of blocks means surgeons will need to adapt. "The
muscles are no longer loose and have more tension, and it becomes
harder to position the extremity the way you want to," Dr. Berger
says. "It becomes more complicated."
After surgery, patients typically receive a mix of narcotics and anti-
