09 Apr Intrathecal Pain Pump Implant
An intrathecal pain pump is a device that delivers medications directly to the spinal cord, into the intrathecal space. Medications placed in this space produce powerful and faster pain relief than medications taken as pills, especially in conditions that have failed to improve with other treatments or with surgery.
The pain pump is placed under the skin of your abdomen, right above the belt area. It is not visible to other people. The pump is connected to a small tube that sends medications directly around the spinal cord.
Who is a good candidate for an intrathecal pain pump implant?
Pain pumps are recommended for people with –
- Cancer
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and Causalgia
- Arachnoiditis
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Body-wide muscle spasms
Advantages of having a pain pump
A pain pump offers several benefits:
- Only a small amount of medication is needed
- Minimal side effects
- Reduced risk of tolerance and dependence on opioids
- No risk of missing medications
Your doctor may recommend a pain pump if –
- you’ve not been able to obtain relief with conservative therapies like oral medication, physical therapy, steroid injections and nerve blocks
- you are dependent on pain medication and there is a risk of addiction
- a past surgery failed to resolve your pain
You are not a candidate for a pain pump if –
- psychological problems prevent you from learning to use the pump
- there is an infection, such as meningitis, that can spread to the pump
- you are allergic to the medications in the pump, for example morphine
- cancer has spread to the spine, blocking the spinal space
If you are looking for back pain treatment in Chicago, call the leading pain management doctors, Illinois Pain Institute at 800-340-PAIN Today!