Intrathecal Pain Pump Implant
PAIN TREATMENT
Intrathecal Pump Implantation: Pain Management
An intrathecal pump, or pain pump, is a surgically implanted device designed to deliver small doses of medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This targeted delivery system stops pain signals from being sent to the brain.[1]
The implanted intrathecal drug delivery system, or IDDS, allows for lower oral or IV medication doses, resulting in effective pain relief with fewer side effects. It is commonly used for patients with chronic pain or severe spasticity who have not responded well to conventional treatments.[2]
Together, we’ll explore how intrathecal drug pumps work, their benefits, and why you should seek treatment through reputable pain management clinics.
How Intrathecal Pain Pumps Work
Before a pain pump is implanted, a trial is completed to determine if it’s the appropriate treatment. If the pain pump is a good option for your case, a permanent intrathecal pump is surgically implanted under the skin of the abdomen.[2] The pump is a disc-like, round device that is only about 1 inch thick and 3 inches wide.[2]
The small, programmable pump is connected to a catheter that is threaded into the intrathecal space around the spinal cord.[3] Your doctor will preset the control unit or personal therapy manager (PTM) to deliver predetermined doses of medication at specific times and allow you to give yourself an additional, measured dose as needed. [2] The pump’s reservoir can be refilled with medication through a minimally invasive procedure, typically performed in a clinic.[3]
Conditions Treated with Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems
According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine, IDDS offers an alternative solution for various pain conditions, including:
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Postoperative pain
- Postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain caused by shingles)
- Cancer pain from the disease or treatment
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Spinal cord injury pain
- Spasticity (muscle stiffening) due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or brain or spinal cord injury
- Refractory chronic pain conditions
Benefits of Implanted Intrathecal Pain Pumps
The primary benefit of intrathecal pump implantation is the significant reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life for patients with chronic, debilitating conditions. Because the medication is delivered directly to the affected area, lower doses are required, minimizing systemic side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, and constipation commonly associated with oral pain medications.[4]
Patients often experience greater mobility and function, allowing them to participate more fully in daily activities.[4] The targeted drug delivery also reduces the risk of overdose and enhances the overall safety of long-term pain management.
IDDS Specialists & Pain Management Clinics
Pain pumps require a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists in pain management doctors. Pain management clinics provide comprehensive care, including initial evaluation, trial procedures to assess the efficacy of the pump and ongoing maintenance and refills of the device. These clinics are staffed by experts knowledgeable in the latest techniques and advancements in pain management, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care. Collaboration between specialists and a personalized treatment plan is vital to achieving optimal outcomes for patients undergoing intrathecal pump implantation.
Intrathecal pumps offer a promising solution for those suffering from severe, intractable pain or spasticity. By leveraging pain management specialists’ expertise and dedicated clinics’ resources, patients can achieve substantial relief and an improved quality of life.
Resources:
- Sein M, MD, Peer-Reviewed P. Spinal Cord Stimulators and Pain Pumps: Implantable Systems for Neuropathy. Spine-health [Internet]. Accessed May 28, 2024. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/spinal-cord-stimulators-and-pain-pumps-implantable-systems-neuropathy
- Sivanesan E. Intrathecal Pain Pump. Johns Hopkins Medicine. December 16, 2022. Accessed May 28, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/intrathecal-pain-pump
- Wilkes D. Programmable intrathecal pumps for managing chronic pain: recommendations for improved efficiency. Journal of Pain Research [Internet]. October 2014:571. Accessed May 28, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s46929 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4200017/
- Intrathecal Drug Pain Pump Implant. UPMC | Life Changing Medicine [Internet]. Accessed May 28, 2024. Available from: https://www.upmc.com/services/neurosurgery/spine/treatment/pain-management/intrathecal-pump