Intrathecal Pump

Intrathecal Pump Trial and Permanent Implant

An intrathecal pain pump is a device used to treat chronic pain. When your condition doesn’t respond to conservative treatment therapies, the system of intrathecal pain pumps is useful. This method is used to deliver medications directly to the spinal cord. A pain pump is placed under the skin of the abdomen to deliver the targeted dose of medicine into the spinal cord.

Before the intrathecal pump is planted, a trial is conducted to check if the pump is effective for the patient. In the results of the trial, if the pain is reduced by 50% or more, then the pump is implanted.

Who Can Benefit From an Intrathecal Pain Pump?

Implantable drug delivery systems are one of the effective methods to treat chronic pain and other conditions. Additionally, people with certain neurologic illnesses can also take the benefits to relieve chronic muscle spasms. Most people with any of the following conditions can opt for the pain pump:

Pain occurred from cancer
Arachnoiditis
Muscle spasms throughout the body
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Radiculopathy
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Chronic pancreatitis

How is an Intrathecal Pain Pump Implanted?

Intrathecal pain pumps are implanted in two phases – trial and permanent. Your doctor will do a trial first before implanting the pump permanently. In the trial, a patient is given an injection of a small dose of medicine. It is done quickly and helps the doctor find the best medicine for your pain. If the pain is decreased by at least 50%, your doctor will schedule a pump implantation.

The procedure of pump implantation is initiated after giving you general anesthesia. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete the pump implantation procedure. During the procedure, a catheter and a pump are placed in the back and under the abdomen skin, respectively. The medication flow starts as soon as the catheter is connected to the pump.

FAQs

It is a medical device that delivers medication directly to the spinal cord to treat chronic back pain.

Side effects of the procedure may include bleeding, infection, difficulty urination, increased pain, weakness, or swelling.

Yes, implanting an intrathecal pain pump is a safe and effective procedure.