With general anesthesia, you are rendered unconscious and unable to feel pain. Regional or spinal anesthesia involves injecting an anesthetic into your spine to numb the lower half of your body so you don't feel pain. Sedation will most likely be used to keep you peaceful and comfortable during the treatment. Sedation can be done orally or by injection. You'll be sleepy but able to respond to people and questions. You should expect to be in the hospital for a few days after this type of operation. Your doctor may recommend that you stop smoking and drinking alcohol before your surgery to reduce your risk of complications. You also need to avoid drugs and activities that increase your heart rate for several weeks following surgery. Menisci are C-shaped bands of tissue found inside joints where they help to stabilize the joint and distribute force throughout it. As we age, our menisci degenerate (wear out) due to trauma to the joint caused by aging bones and cartilage. This leads to symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. In some cases, removal of all or part of a meniscus is necessary to relieve these symptoms. Surgery is usually recommended for individuals who have had meniscal problems for a long time and have not improved with nonoperative treatments. In addition, surgery may be required if you experience sudden onset of severe pain that does not go away with medication. Finally, surgery may be needed to prevent future arthritis development.