In addition to a local spinal anaesthetic, patients could give themselves a sedative.
From the newscientist.com
The study concludes that the estimated risk of permanent harm following a spinal anaesthetic or epidural is lower than 1 in 20,000 and in many circumstances the estimated risk is considerably lower.
From the sciencedaily.com
One group would have a general anaesthetic that affects their brain, putting them to sleep, and the other would have a spinal anaesthetic, which numbs their body but does not affect their brain.
From the smh.com.au
Indeed, spinal anaesthesia may in fact be the anaesthetic modality of choice for frail older patients, so these studies are often undertaken in highly relevant populations.
From the en.wikipedia.org
Balloon kyphoplasty is good news for patients with a severe spinal compression fracture because it can be carried out in an hour or two under anaesthetic.