Intrathecal Pump Implantation
An intrathecal pain pump implantation, or targeted drug delivery, is used to relieve chronic pain. Because the medication is delivered directly to where pain signals travel, intrathecal drug delivery offers many people dramatic pain management, with a dose smaller than would be required with oral medication.
A pump can help lessen chronic pain caused by:
- Cancer Pain: Constant Pain Caused By Tumors Compressing The Spinal Nerves, Or Scarring From Previous Radiation Therapy.
- Causalgia: A Burning Pain Caused By Peripheral Nerve Injury.
- Arachnoiditis: Painful Inflammation And Scarring Of The Meninges (Protective Layers) Of The Spinal Nerves.
- Chronic Pancreatitis: Chronic Abdominal Pain Caused By Inflammation Or Blockage Of The Pancreatic Duct.
A pump can help lessen spasticity (muscle rigidity and spasms that make the movement of the arms and legs difficult) caused by:
- Cerebral Palsy: A Nervous Disorder That Impairs Control Of Body Movement.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A Disorder Of The Brain And Spinal Cord Caused By Damage To The Outer Layer (Myelin) Of Nerve Cells.
- Stroke: Damage To The Brain From Lack Of Oxygen; Due To An Interruption Of The Blood Supply.
- Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
Advantages:
- Chronic Pain Patients May Experience A Reduction In Pain, As Well As Overall Improvement In Activities Of Daily Living.
- Spasticity Patients May Experience A Reduction In Rigidity And Muscle Spasms.
- Oral Medications Are Reduced Because The Medicine Is Delivered Directly To The Spinal Cord And Much Smaller Dosages Are Needed.
- Category: Treatments Offered
