For patients who have spinal problems and chronic back pain, management of that pain is usually their biggest concern. Even after having various treatments, and sometimes even after spinal surgery, back pain can continue to be an issue to a certain extent. There is an array of options for back pain surgery in Manhattan, and one of these is the implantable intrathecal pump.
An intrathecal pain pump is a method of delivering drug therapy directly into the space and fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This fluid (called cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) flows around the spinal cord and the brain, and drugs delivered directly to the CSF are much more effective and at much smaller doses than otherwise required when given orally or via the bloodstream. Since the medications don’t travel through the bloodstream, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation are minimized.
The intrathecal pump is a round metal device. It is surgically implanted beneath the skin of the abdomen in a minimally invasive procedure. A small plastic catheter or tube is connected to the pump and inserted into the intrathecal space of the spine. The medication is held in the pump’s reservoir.
The pump is then programmed to deliver medication slowly over a set period of time, and it stores the information about the individual prescription in its memory. When it needs to be refilled, the doctor will insert a needle through the skin of the abdomen and refill the reservoir
Drug delivery via this route can be of benefit when other treatments have failed to effectively alleviate pain. The benefits of having pain medications delivered via an implantable intrathecal pump include:
You may be suitable for this device if you:
If you need an implantable intrathecal pump, you deserve experienced surgeons to provide comprehensive spine care. Dr. Ezriel Kornel and Dr. Krishn Sharma can help you overcome the pain of your condition. Please contact us or call (914) 353-4106 to schedule a consultation appointment today!