Comparing general and spinal anesthesia for joint replacement surgery

General Versus Spinal Anesthesia for Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Not applicable Interventional University of Miami · NCT06747494

This study is testing whether using general or spinal anesthesia for hip or knee replacement surgery leads to better recovery experiences for patients.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2396 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Miami Academic / other
Locations1 site (Miami, Florida)
Trial IDNCT06747494 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to compare the post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) using either general or spinal anesthesia. The research will evaluate various outcomes, including length of hospital stay, post-operative pain levels, incidence of nausea, and rates of surgical site infections, among others. By analyzing these factors, the study seeks to determine which anesthesia method may lead to better recovery experiences for patients undergoing hip or knee replacements.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients scheduled for primary total hip or knee arthroplasty who can provide informed consent and speak either English or Spanish.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications for either spinal or general anesthesia, such as severe heart conditions or prior lumbar surgery, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help identify the anesthesia method that leads to improved recovery and fewer complications for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored the effects of different anesthesia methods in orthopedic surgeries, showing varying outcomes, but this specific comparison in TJA is less commonly addressed.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing a primary total hip or knee arthroplasty
* Subjects must be capable of providing informed consent
* English or Spanish speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with contraindications for spinal anesthesia such as:

* Prior lumbar surgery with hardware insertion
* Elevated intracranial pressure
* Infection at the site of the procedure
* Thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy
* Severe mitral and aortic stenosis and left ventricular outflow obstruction
* Severe spine pathology (spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spondylosis) with radiculopathy and/or neurogenic claudication
* Preexisting neurological disease

Patients with contraindications for general anesthesia such as:

* Congestive heart failure
* Severe aortic stenosis
* Patient is unable/unwilling to consent
* Current pregnancy or women planning on becoming pregnant in the next year, and women who think they might be pregnant, or women who become pregnant during the study period will be removed from the study.
* Prisoners

Where this trial is running

Miami, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Knee OsteoarthritisHip OsteoarthritisTotal joint arthroplastyGeneral anesthesiaSpinal anesthesia
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.