Intrathecal pump is a tool implanted in the spine that delivers pain medication directly to the area of spinal cord responsible for nerve supply to a specific area of the body. The delivery of drugs close to the spinal cord provides superior analgesia with smaller doses of analgesics to minimize side effects while significantly improving quality of life. Depending on the condition, the pump may administer an opioid, like morphine, or a muscle relaxant medication, such as baclofen.
The implant procedure usually takes 2-3 hours. During the procedure, a pocket is made under the skin that’s large enough to hold the small-sized medicine pump.
Cancer - In recent years, intrathecal pump therapy has increased in popularity to treat refractory cancer pain.
Failed Back Surgery : Chronic persistent pain after one or more back or neck surgeries that fail to alleviate low back pain, leg pain, arm pain
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy : It is a progressive disease of the nervous system in which patients feel constant chronic burning pain in a certain part of the body..
Causalgia : It’s a severe burning pain in a certain part of the body caused by peripheral nerve injury.
Chronic pancreatitis : Chronic abdominal pain caused by inflammation or blockage of the pancreatic duct.
Stroke: Intrathecal baclofen pumps can help treat spasticity after neurological injuries like stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury.