Intrathecal Pain Pump

Neuro Pain Consultants

Pain Management and Anesthesia Physicians located in Bloomfield Township, Clarkston and Sterling Heights, MI

The CDC reports that more than 20% of the population in the United States has had some experience with chronic pain, with 8% dealing with high-impact chronic pain. These eye-opening numbers are why the team of pain specialists at Neuro Pain Consultants offers intrathecal pain pumps to patients who’ve exhausted almost every avenue to find relief. If you’d like to learn more about intrathecal pain pumps, call one of the four locations in Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Macomb Township, and West Bloomfield, Michigan, or request an appointment online.

248-751-7246

Intrathecal Pain Pump Q & A

What is an intrathecal pain pump?

An intrathecal pain pump is an implantable device that delivers pain medication — typically morphine — straight into the source of the discomfort in your spine. The device consists of a reservoir, or pump, which the doctor implants just under the skin below your ribs. The pump is connected to a catheter that enters the intrathecal space, which is also known as the subarachnoid space, in your spinal canal. This space contains cerebrospinal fluid and reaches the compromised area in your spine.

There are many benefits to using an intrathecal pain pump, starting with the fact that relief is delivered straight to the source of your pain, rather than taking a systemic approach with oral medication. This means that the doctors at Neuro Pain Consultants use only a fraction of the morphine needed, to much better effect.

The dosages are controlled by your doctor and they can make any necessary tweaks along the way depending upon how you respond.

What conditions can an intrathecal pain pump help?

The pain management specialists at Neuro Pain Consultants turn to an intrathecal pain pump if your back pain has resisted all other treatments or you’re not a candidate for a surgical solution. To give you an idea of how the intrathecal pain pump can help, here are a few conditions where this type of approach is indicated:

Cancer
Brain or spinal cord injury
Failed back surgery syndrome
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke
Cerebral palsy

The best way to find out whether an intrathecal pain pump is right for your situation is to sit down with your doctor at Neuro Pain Consultants to discuss your unique situation.

What is the process for getting an intrathecal pain pump?

If you and your doctor decide that an intrathecal pain pump is right for you, the procedure to implant the device is fairly easy and your doctor performs it on an outpatient basis. Your doctor makes two incisions: One for the catheter and one for the pump. Rest assured, you’re given an anesthetic for your comfort beforehand.

Once your doctor places the two components to their satisfaction, you’re free to go home. You do need to return every 1-3 months to have the reservoir refilled with pain medication.

If you’re battling chronic pain, call Neuro Pain Consultants to learn more about how an intrathecal pain pump can help.

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