Orthopedic surgery is associated with high incidences of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The need for anticoagulation results in anesthesia issues specifically related to the potential for neuroaxial hematomas. Unique complications in orthopedic surgery are related to tourniquet use and fat embolism. Anesthesia is administered before and during your surgical procedure so you do not feel pain. Some anesthetics induce sleep, while others cause drowsiness and/or numbness. A Regional Anesthetic is a form of anesthesia in which a part of the body is made numb using a local anesthetic. This technique is often called a nerve blockage. Because our orthopedic surgeons often operate on part of the patients arm or leg, nerve blocks are frequently a recommended type of anesthetic for surgery at the Raleigh Orthopedic Surgery Center. A significant advantage of nerve blocks for outpatient orthopedic surgery is that they provide the patient with excellent pain relief for many hours after the surgery. Nerve blocks may also reduce the amount of traditional narcotic pain medications that a patient may need to have during or after surgery. Because narcotics can sometimes cause nausea and excessive drowsiness, using nerve block techniques can sometimes help reduce the chance that patients will experience these symptoms. Compared to those patients who have had a general anesthetic without a nerve block, patients who have had a nerve block will often feel more awake immediately after surgery and will be able to go home sooner from the surgery center. Many of the ROSC surgeons will discuss regional anesthesia options with you during your pre-op visit. If regional anesthesia is an option for your surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist will discuss this technique with you on the day of surgery. On the basis of your medical history, the anesthesiologist will decide if you are an appropriate candidate to undergo a nerve block procedure. A journal is a periodical publication intended to further progress of science, usually by reporting new research. Most journals are highly specialized, although some of the oldest journals publish articles, reviews, editorials, short communications, letters, and scientific papers across a wide range of scientific fields. Journals contain articles that peer reviewed, in an attempt to ensure that articles meet the journal's standards of quality, and scientific validity. Each such journal article becomes part of the permanent scientific record.