Intrathecal Pumps for Chronic, Non-Responsive Pain
Intrathecal pumps are a powerful solution for some patients with severe pain that doesn’t respond to other interventions or medications. By delivering pain relief directly into the spinal fluid, this treatment can be effective where others are not.
At Renew Pain Solutions, we’re passionate about finding the most effective solutions to our patients’ pain. Where other, less invasive treatments don’t deliver the relief patients need, our experienced physicians may recommend an intrathecal pump procedure for lasting, effective pain relief.
What Is an Intrathecal Pump?
An intrathecal pump is a small surgically implanted device that delivers medicine directly into the spinal cord. The pump sends medicine into the intrathecal space, the gap between the spinal cord and the membranes surrounding it. Delivering medicine directly into this space interrupts pain signals between the spinal cord and brain, lessening or eliminating the sensation of pain. Because of the direct delivery method, intrathecal pumps drastically lower the amount of medicine needed to achieve pain relief compared to pills or injections. The intrathecal pump system includes a pump device that sits in the abdomen and a catheter that wraps around the torso to deliver medication directly to the spinal cord.
Common Conditions Treated with Intrathecal Pumps
Intrathecal pumps provide a solution for several conditions when they don’t respond to conventional and less invasive treatments and medication. These conditions include:
- Back or neck pain
- Post-surgical pain
- Pelvic and abdominal pain
- Pain from cancer treatment
- Pain in the extremities
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Neuropathy pain
If you suffer from any of these and have not gotten enough relief from traditional treatment methods, you may be a candidate for an intrathecal pump. Be aware, however, that the intrathecal pump is a more invasive procedure usually reserved for patients suffering from long-term, significant pain.
What to Expect from the Intrathecal Pump Procedure
Intrathecal pump procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Once you are asleep, your surgeon will make a small incision in your lower back over the spine to insert the catheter. Then, your surgeon will create a tunnel around the torso, feeding the catheter through that tunnel until it reaches the place in the abdomen where the pump will sit. Finally, your surgeon creates a pocket under the skin of the abdomen and places the pump inside, attaching the catheter and securing the pump to the fascia. Most patients are able to return home to recover on the same day as their procedures.
If you are a candidate for an intrathecal pump, we may recommend a trial first. Trials require either sending medication to the area through an external pump and catheter or delivering the medication through a lumbar puncture. Once we determine the medication is working for you, we will schedule the procedure to implant the permanent pump.
What Medications Do Intrathecal Pumps Use?
The medication in the pump will depend on the condition being treated. These are some common medications administered via intrathecal pump:
- Opioid pain medications
- Anesthetics
- Non-opioid pain medications, like clonidine and ziconotide
If you are a candidate for an intrathecal pump, your doctor will discuss medication options with you to choose the best option.
What Are the Benefits of Intrathecal Pumps?
Intrathecal pumps have several benefits over other treatment methods.
- Can provide relief when injections or pills don’t
- Provides effective pain relief with less medication
- Medication does not become diluted by the bloodstream or digestive system
- Allows for more manageable side effects for some conditions
Get Help for Chronic Pain with Renew Pain Solutions
Living with chronic pain can feel hopeless, but Renew Pain Solutions provides real help and lasting relief for most patients — even those who haven’t had success with other practices or previous treatments. We offer a wide range of innovative treatment methods, and our compassionate team will help you find the right solution to your chronic pain condition.
If you’ve tried less invasive pain solutions and your pain issues haven’t been resolved, an intrathecal pump may be the right next step. Reach out to our team to schedule a consultation to discuss solutions to your pain.