Please read this blog if you have an impending surgery or not. You never know what the days ahead might bring along. Life is mystifying like that.
So I had a hemorrhagic stroke and have a contracted foot, which means it’s always bent at the knee only 10 degrees from the rest of my body and it comes about from non-use. I had four physical therapists try to unbend my leg but didn’t accomplish the task. But there are risks with the surgery.
That’s why I came up with the topic: Anesthesia and the brain-damaged: Is there any reason not to have surgery on my contracted foot?
Well, it depends.
With a brain injury, cognitive symptoms, like memory and emotional overload, and a contracted foot, might need surgery. So how is anesthesia and surgery going to affect my already vulnerable brain, that is, the risks vs. benefits?
The potential risks of anesthesia after brain injury (no matter how long your brain has been damaged) are these:
- Increased confusion or disorientation post-operation (called post-op delirium)
- Temporary or permanent worsening of memory and/or attention
- Higher sensitivity to medications or slower restoration from anesthesia
However, surgery might still be worth it. They need to put you under when the tendon is lengthened if your contracted leg is painful, makes walking difficult, or affects balance and personal freedoms. Surgery might improve your daily life’s activities and reduce other health risks like falls, skin breakdown, or contagion.
Ask for a pre-surgical neurology or anesthesia consult. They’ll review your brain history, choose anesthesia that’s noggin-friendly, and monitor you more closely before and after surgery.
Make a brain-support plan for surgery:
- Questions to ask?
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How to prep your brain before and after anesthesia?
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What to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist?
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Is the foot pain or tightness interfering with your daily life?
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Have doctors suggested surgery already?
You’re not alone in this situation ]and you’re entitled to the care that protects your body and your brain.
Brain-safe surgery checklist:
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Are there types of anesthesia that are safer for me?
- Will you monitor for post-op confusion or delirium?
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Could I have regional anesthesia or light sedation instead of full general anesthesia?
Brain protection and monitoring:
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How long might it take for my brain to wipe out all signs of the anesthesia?
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What signs should I or my support person look for after surgery like memory issues, confusion, or emotional changes?
Recovery:
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Is there a way to reduce pain meds that might affect cause fog or memory?
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Can we plan for extra rest and reduced stimulation after surgery to help my brain recover?
What to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist:
Let your surgeon and anesthesiologist know about you! For example:
“I had a brain injury from a stroke. I have cognitive symptoms, mostly sensory overload. I’m sensitive to medications like penicillin, aspirin, and the NSAIDs, so I want to make sure anesthesia won’t cause more brain fog or other cognitive defect.”
How to prep your brain before surgery:
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Sleep well if possible (even short naps help brain injury)
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Stay hydrated the day before (unless told not to)
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Avoid stress and info overload making sure you’re stress-free
Bring a written note listing:
- Your brain symptoms
- What to monitor post-op like your memory and confusion
How to support your brain after surgery:
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Rest in a quiet space for at least a day, sometimes maybe two
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Stay hydrated
- Avoid screen time, noise, multitasking
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Eat brain-calming foods: healthy fats, cooked veggies, berries, protein
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Ask for help if you feel mentally “off “
Heidi Blair Pratt, an American reality television personality who came to prominence after being cast in the MTV series The Hills, said, “You have to realize the dangers and repercussions of surgery.”
That statement is true, but the contracture has left me standing on one foot only because the knee is bent so severely. My leg assessment is May 1, so stay tuned!
