Intrathecal Pump
Intrathecal Pump Trial and permanent Implant
An intrathecal pain pump is a device used to treat chronic pain. When the 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 Use an Intrathecal 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 Planted?
Intrathecal pain pumps are applied in two phases – trail and permanent. Specialist doctors 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. In it, 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.
