Pain Pump Therapy

What Is Intrathecal Pain Pump Therapy?

A pain pump is a surgically implanted device which involves the delivery of small, controlled amounts of pain medication directly into the intrathecal space—an area filled with fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. This therapy delivers pain medication directly to the spinal cord and requires significantly lower doses of medication to provide relief. Unlike oral medications, which travel throughout your body in your bloodstream, targeted drug delivery releases small amounts of medicine directly into the fluid near your spine which allows pain symptoms to be controlled with a fraction of the oral dose. Many studies have reported that targeted drug delivery provided pain relief in patients who could not achieve adequate control even with high doses of oral pain medication. Before committing to a permanent pump placement, the physician will do a trial to make sure this treatment is suitable. ​

Am I a Candidate for Pain Pump Therapy?

• Back or neck pain, including from compression fractures, disc pain, spinal stenosis or spondylosis.

• Pain that lingers after prior surgical procedures

• Abdominal or pelvic pain

• Extremity pain

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

• Trunk pain, including postherpetic neuralgia 

• Cancer pain

• Peripheral nerve injury pain

• Neuropathic pain

• Spasticity (muscle stiffening) due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or brain or spinal cord injury

• Other chronic pain conditions, when more conservative pain therapies have failed

Benefits of Pain Pump Therapy

• Reduction in pain symptoms, up to 50% or more

• Relieves pain caused by a variety pain conditions

• Improved ability to function 

• Decreased need for oral pain medications

• Therapy trial before committing to an implanted system

• Can be tailored to your needs

• Reversible, the device can be turned off or, if desired, surgically removed.

For more information​ or to schedule an appointment please call (614) 318-0808. ​