Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: My son just had general anesthesia and some soft of muscle relaxer. He has multiple allergies. The problem is now he can't walk. He had surgery 2 days ago. This also happened 6 weeks ago after his T and A. Any ideas??? Thank you Kristi

ANSWER: No idea but I don't think it is related to the miscle relaxants or he wouldn't be able to breathe or move his upper extremities either. When you say he can't walk, do you mean can't walk well?, Can't weight-bear? Can't lift his legs?

He should certainly be evaluated for this but I don't think it is anesthesia related.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He can't walk well. His heart rate races, he gets flushed, and clammy. Like I said earlier this has happened after his last surgery and resolved after a few days. He has multiple allergies and I can't help but think that this is a reaction to something.

Answer
I don't think it is an allergy to anesthesia but without evaluating him, seeing the chart and seeing the anesthetic records, I can't make a reasonable answer here. He should certainly be seen to work up these symptoms before his next operation.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston