How an Intrathecal Pain Pump Solves your Spine Pain Issues

Millions of Americans live with chronic back pain. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, more than 80% of American adults will deal with back pain at some point in their lives. For men and women living with chronic pain due to spinal injuries or disorders, pain management is essential to living an active and quality life. 

At Interventional Pain Center in Worthington and Newark, Ohio, Sachit Manocha, MD, can help you manage your back and neck pain, or any other pain. 

What is an intrathecal pain pump?

For chronic pain sufferers, especially those who take more than one type of medication, keeping track of pills and schedules can be challenging and confusing. An intrathecal pain pump can make this easier because you get the relief you need without having to deal with all the medications. The pump dispenses the correct doses and you may not have to worry about pills.

The intrathecal space is the area that surrounds your spinal cord, and within this space is fluid. Pain pumps are implanted in the abdominal cavity and deliver specific doses of pain medication into this fluid. 

Since the doses don’t require digestion as they do in pill form, the medication may take effect sooner and may require smaller doses than would be needed in pill form. The pump can be used in conjunction with oral medications or may replace them entirely depending on your situation.

When should you use an intrathecal pain pump?

After a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Manocha will recommend the best pain management solution for your needs. Depending on the nature and severity of your spinal injury or condition, conservative treatments, such as traditional medication and physical therapy, are usually the first course of action. 

However, if you suffer from debilitating and chronic pain due to a spinal injury or disease, and if conservative treatments have not been satisfactory, a pain pump may be a good option to help manage your symptoms. Although the pump is surgically implanted, the procedure is reversible, so you can have the device removed at any time.

If you have spine pain and want to see if an intrathecal pain pump can help you, book an appointment online or over the phone with Interventional Pain Center Today. Dr. Manocha will go over all your options and help you get back to enjoying life again.