What is a Pain Pump?

Pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. Although it’s a generally accepted part of life, pain can limit what we can do. This often leads to frustration, especially if the pain lasts for weeks or more after an injury has been treated.

Most pain responds to treatment. But there’s that kind of pain that lasts despite medication. When you’ve exhausted all your options in pain management, it’s time to turn to a more aggressive and concentrated treatment.

As the premier pain doctor in Orange County, Dr. Lai looks forward to speaking with you and helping achieve a pain-free life.

Intrathecal Pain Pump Implant

An Intrathecal Pain Pump Implant is a device that delivers medication directly to the spinal cord. It is a round metal that looks like a hockey puck that is implanted under the skin of your abdomen.

The implant is placed under the skin of the abdomen and delivers the drug through a catheter, which is connected to the spinal cord. Since the procedure requires making an incision on the abdomen and on the back, the patient will be under general anesthesia.

Once the patient is down, the pump will be inserted into a pocket in the abdomen and the catheter on the incision on the back. The surgery takes approximately 1 to 3 hours.

After both pump and catheter are inserted, the doctor will program the pump to gradually release pain medication. The number of drugs to be released can be adjusted depending on your needs. Some patients receive a higher dose of medication at nighttime when pain is often more noticeable.

Recovery period for this type of surgery is quick. Patients can go home on the day of the surgery. However, they may feel some discomfort and inflammation surrounding the incision. This is normal and the doctor will prescribe medications to lessen the pain.

For 6 to 8 weeks, patients should avoid doing their usual activities (e.g. bending, lifting objects more than 5 pounds, raising arms above the head, and sleeping on the stomach). Unless cleared by the doctor, the patient has to put off driving for 2 to 4 weeks. This is to prevent the catheter from moving and being displaced.

As with other surgeries, having a pain pump implant requires the patient to be watchful for certain risks like infection and bleeding. If the patient gets a fever that’s more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, he or she should consult the doctor immediately.

Why it’s Effective

Pain signals run from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord. The pain pump is a very effective method of lessening pain when all other modes have failed.

It works better than oral medication because it delivers medicine right to the Intrathecal space, a fluid-filled area that surrounds the spinal cord. By injecting the pain drug through the pump, patients feel relief much faster than taking oral medicines. Many patients who have gotten a pain pump felt instant relief after they were given their doses.

Who Can Get a Pain Pump?

Not all patients who feel chronic pain are candidates for getting a pain pump. The ones who do are:

• Those who tried all forms of medication but to no avail
• People who are not allergic to the drugs that will be given
• Dependent on pain medication
• Had a positive response to the drug during trial

Pain Doctor in Orange County

A pain pump often comes as the final solution to some health problems. Dr. Lai of the Centers of Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine is a board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Together with the other doctors, he’s helped individuals who have not responded well to traditional medications get the pain relief they need. Get in touch with CRPM to learn more about the top pain doctor in Orange County.