Spinal anesthesia involves the injection of a medicine into the
canal around the spinal cord. It is used to numb the body below
the chest, usually before a surgical procedure. The area where
the needle will be inserted is first numbed with a local
anesthetic, then the needle is guided into the spinal canal and
the anesthetic is injected. The person may not be able to move
his or her legs until the anesthetic wears off. eMedicineHealth
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