I had a full knee replacement done last month. Spinal injection, no sedative, and I would very strongly recommend it. I was able to use my phone to listen to music, send emails, and actually videoed some of the procedure (which took place behind a blue sheet, but the video captured the extraordinary electric sawing sounds etc.). I was able to take a phone call as they wheeled me from theatre to the ward (the op took 90 minutes), and by the time the spinal injection wore off 2 hours later, other pain control was in-place. I was sent home 48 hours later, after demonstrating that I could walk safely, up and down stairs and so on, with two arm crutches. I took codeine for 2 weeks with paracetamol, the threw away the crutches too. Then only paracetamol, and pain/sleeping etc. has never been an issue. Everyone tells me, and I now know it to be true, that if you do the exercises (which are tough, but not tough because of pain), the you will have a good outcome, and if you don't, you won't. 6 weeks on, I walk a mile twice a day, and keep doing the stretching exercises too - hot baths are great at the start of each day. I have driven 250 miles at a go (automatic car), but with a clutch that might be harder. Good luck! Overall, don't faff with general anesthetics, everyone I spoke to says the after effects can be extended and serious.
