Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.
Anesthesiologist
4441 East McDowell Road Suite 101 Phoenix Arizona, 85008Rating
4/5
About
Thomas J. Rick, MD, works at a private practice in Phoenix, Arizona. He specializes in the extension of anesthetic and pain management services to patients undergoing surgeries. When Dr. Rick is not at his practice, he can be found working at St. Joseph and Good Samaritan Hospitals.
Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.'s Videos
Education and Training
Hahnemann University
Board Certification
American Board of Anesthesiology- Anesthesiology
AnesthesiologyAmerican Board of AnesthesiologyABA
Provider Details
Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.'s Expert Contributions
Can you pass under general anesthesia if you are over 70?
There is no contraindication to general anesthesia due to age. An elderly patient's comorbitities and tolerance to medicines are considered to taylor the anesthetic to your needs. However, patient in the upper age bracket are more predisposed to a period of cognitive disfunction, such as confusion or disorientation. READ MORE
Do you need general anesthesia for wisdom teeth?
No. I had my wisdom teeth extracted under local, but I would recommend at least taking some oral Percocet or Vicodin or other narcotic and perhaps a sedative such as Alprazolam and the dentist can supplement with local anesthesia. Intravenous sedation is also a possibility if the dental office offers it. READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for back disc surgery?
General endotracheal anesthesia READ MORE
Can I take painkillers before local anesthetic?
Yes, preferably acetaminophen or narcotic, which will not inhibit platelets and potentially promote bleeding. READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for root canal surgery?
Injection of local anesthetic to block the dental nerve involved READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for ankle surgery?
Usually general anesthesia +/- popliteal nerve block READ MORE
How do you recover from spinal anesthesia?
During a spinal anesthesia block, a small dose of local anesthetic is placed in the subarachnoid space and mixes with the cerebrospinal fluid to achieve loss of sensation to the lower body. The local anesthesia drug used is metabolized through natural mechanisms of the body, i.e., blood, liver, kidneys, etc. READ MORE
What kind of anesthesia is used for hernia surgery?
Usually general anesthesia READ MORE
How long are you under anesthesia for gastric sleeve?
??? 2 hours READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for knee surgery?
A simple knee arthroscopy is usually achieved with a quick general anesthetic using an LMA (Laryngeal mask airway), as opposed to an endotracheal tube. A femoral nerve block in addition to general anesthesia is indicated for more invasive arthroscopic knee surgeries. The block can usually provide excellent postoperative pain control. When a total knee arthroplasty (replacement) is planned, either a spinal block or general anesthetic +/- femoral block is often administered. READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for jaw surgery?
Usually, general endotracheal anesthesia READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for foot surgery?
Depending on the extent of foot surgery, one could get through it with local/IV sedation, various nerve blocks/IV sedation, or general anesthesia. READ MORE
Is an ankle block painful?
Not too painful, but it is usually performed under IV sedation READ MORE
How do you inject a local anesthetic into a wound?
With a needle and syringe. Either directly into the wound or infiltrated by injecting through the skin around the wound site. READ MORE
Do they put a tube down your throat for general anesthesia?
When you are rendered unconscious for general anesthesia, your airway is usually secured with an endotracheal tube, or a supraglottic device such as a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is placed. An LMA is situated in the back of the throat. Both techniques allow for the delivery of anesthetic gases. READ MORE
What should you not do before local anesthesia?
That depends on the procedure you will undergo. If it is a surgery that may require converting to IV sedation or general anesthesia, then you should not eat or drink for 8 hours. READ MORE
Which is better general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia?
It depends on what type of surgery and your comorbidities. Surgery that can be performed under a block can potentially avoid receiving intravenous and inhalation anesthetics, with the advantage of avoiding postoperative sedation and other side effects of narcotics and anesthetics. With blocks, there is little or no risk of malignant hyperthermia, a genetic metabolic derangement. READ MORE
Can shoulder surgery be done without general anesthesia?
Shoulder surgery could potentially be performed under interscalene brachial plexus block with or without sedation. READ MORE
What kind of anesthesia is used for wrist surgery?
Usually, a general anesthetic is provided for wrist surgery. An axillary block may be an alternative, in which local anesthetic is injected in the axilla (armpit) to block the bundle of upper extremity nerves known as the brachial plexus. Since a nerve block can sometimes be incomplete, IV sedation is often administered in addition to the block. READ MORE
What is the safest anesthesia for surgery?
All types of anesthesia are safe when delivered by skilled anesthesiologists. Each type of anesthesia has its own inherent risks and benefits. READ MORE
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society of Anesthesiology, Arizona Society of Anesthesiology
What do you attribute your success to?
- Availability, Affordability, Accessibility
Hobbies / Sports
- Drums, Tennis, Fitness
Favorite professional publications
- New England Journal of Medicine, Anesthesiology
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