Do I Need a Pain Pump?

Chronic pain is an epidemic in the United States. Not only do a fifth of American adults live with daily pain and discomfort, but 8% live with pain that gets in the way of their everyday life. 

When it became clear that certain medications, such as opioids, had a dangerously high risk of addiction, interventional pain specialists ramped up research and development on safe and effective alternatives. 

A pain pump, sometimes called an intrathecal pain pump, is one of those pain management options. Pain pumps are implantable devices that send medication directly into your spine through a small catheter. It bypasses the path that oral medication requires, and, as a result, you need very little medication for an effective pain pump dose. 

Sachida Manocha, MD, of Interventional Pain Center in Worthington and Newark, Ohio, offers pain pumps to patients living with chronic and debilitating pain conditions, including back pain, neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. 

How does a pain pump work?

Dr. Manocha can program your pain pump to release varying amounts of pain-relieving medication at different times of the day. For example, if you need small doses throughout the day but a larger amount before you go to bed, Dr. Manocha can program the device to help you stay comfortable. 

The device also stores information about your prescription. When your pump needs to be refilled, Dr. Manocha can review your prescription information while talking to you about your symptoms before refilling the pump. Filling the pump is straightforward. He simply uses a needle to inject medication into the port on the pump reservoir.

Am I a good candidate for a pain pump?

A pain pump isn’t usually a first-line approach to pain management. Some of the criteria for a pain pump prescription include:

• Other pain management methods have failed
• Your pain interferes with your life
• You don’t have an addiction or other psychological health issues
• You wouldn’t benefit from surgery

Dr. Manocha provides thorough exams and consultations before recommending any treatment. Pain pumps can be helpful if you have a condition, such as:

• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Cancer pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Causalgia
• Arachnoiditis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury

The best way to determine if a pain pump is right for you is by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Manocha to discuss your treatment options. 

How is a pain pump placed?

The first step in pain pump placement is to have a trial to see if the treatment can effectively relieve your pain. We offer several trial options. Depending on your needs, Dr. Manocha might recommend a single injection into your spine, a series of injections, or a continuous trial.

For a continuous trial, Dr. Manocha places a catheter into your spine, but instead of implanting the pump, the device remains outside of your body.

If your trial is successful, Dr. Manocha schedules your surgery. During the implantation process, Dr. Manocha places the catheter into your spine. Then he creates a narrow tunnel to your abdomen, where he carefully implants the pump under your skin. 

In most cases, you can go home after you recover from the anesthesia. Dr. Manocha gives you aftercare instructions and schedules a follow-up appointment to make sure you’re recovering well and to make sure the pain pump is effective. 

Pain pumps are practical pain management tools in many situations. To learn more about the treatment, book an appointment online or over the phone with Interventional Pain Center today.