Chronic pain can severely disrupt your ability to engage in life as you wish. As a pain management specialist, Dr. Trujillo values variety for patients in the White Mountains area of Arizona. In our experience, a combination of appropriate pain management, healthy lifestyle habits, and physical therapy can help reinstate a better quality of life while also minimizing the need for invasive surgery.
One modality that may be suitable for the management of chronic pain is an intrathecal pain pump. Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic in Show Low, Arizona offers intrathecal pain pumps for patients as well as other pain management techniques. Dial 855-768-4968 today to schedule a consultation at Summit Healthcare and learn more!
What Is An Intrathecal Pain Pump?
A pain pump is a type of targeted drug therapy in which medication is delivered into the intrathecal space. This is the space that surrounds the spinal cord with cerebrospinal fluid as a protective barrier.
A pain pump is a round metal device that resembles a hockey puck. It is surgically implanted beneath the skin in the abdominal area. The center of the device serves as a reservoir for medication. A tube spans from the device to the intrathecal space around the spine.
How Does A Pain Pump Work?
When the pump is implanted, it is programmed to automatically deliver pain medication in slow-release fashion. This method of delivery bypasses the digestive tract, which maximizes the efficacy of pain medication and also minimizes side effects such as constipation and nausea. The use of a pump also significantly decreases medication dosing compared to oral ingestion.
The pump can be programmed to administer varying dosages of pain medication at different times of day depending on individual needs. The pain pump can be removed at any time if the patient desires.
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Who Are The Ideal Candidates For Intrathecal Pain Pumps?
Before deciding to implant a pain pump, Dr. Trujillo performs one or more trials to ensure that this method of pain management is appropriate. A trial is conducted after a comprehensive consultation, medical history review, and physical examination. A trial may involve:
- A single injection of pain medication administered through a lumbar puncture.
- Multiple injections over a series of days. Administration may be through a lumbar puncture or catheter.
- A continuous trial using an external pump. This trial increases the dosage of medication every few hours until pain relief is achieved.
The trial enables us to gather pertinent information about the drug type, dosage, and catheter location that would be best for the individual patient.
You may be a good candidate for an intrathecal pain pump if you:
- Depend on pain medication for comfort and mobility
- Have no medical conditions that would interfere with the efficiency of the pump
- Have no allergies to the drugs commonly prescribed in pain pump therapy
- Pain has not improved much with conservative therapies
- Had a trial screening and achieved good results
How To Prepare For Your Implantation Procedure
Presurgical tests may be scheduled before the implantation procedure. These may include chest x-ray, blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or other screenings to assess general health.
The patient should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure. Contact our office if you have any questions about medications or other aspects of preparing for your pump installation.
How Is The Intrathecal Pump Procedure Performed?
The pain pump implantation procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which is administered once the patient is on the operative table. With the patient lying on their side, Dr. Trujillo and the surgical team prepares the skin on the stomach and the back, where the device and catheter will be inserted.
Dr. Trujillo makes an incision in the central area of the back and the catheter is inserted and guided into the intrathecal space near the spinal cord. An extension catheter is then passed from the spinal area around the torso to the stomach area where the pump will be inserted.
Next, an incision is made in the side of the lower abdominal area. A pocket is created between the muscle layer and the skin. The extension catheter is attached to the pump, and the device is positioned into the pocket that was created. Sutures secure the pump to the thick layer of fascia that lies over the abdominal muscles.
All incisions are closed with sutures and dressings are placed on the skin.
What Is The Recovery From The Intrathecal Pump Implant Procedure?
Initial recovery after the pain pump implantation involves coming off of anesthesia. During this time, all vital signs are monitored and pain is managed by the medical staff, if necessary. Many patients go home the same day with instructions for post-operative care. Instructions will outline how to manage comfort, when various activities such as walking can be resumed, how to care for incisions, and when to call the doctor.
What To Expect After Getting A Pain Pump
Initially, after getting a pain pump, patients may experience discomfort related to the procedure itself. This may be addressed with narcotic medication for two to four weeks, after which patients will transition to other, non-addictive drugs. As recovery from the pump implantation procedure progresses, patients notice results such as:
- Reduced need for oral pain medication
- Less upset stomach, constipation, fatigue, and other side effects of oral medication
- Improved physical comfort and mobility
- Reduction in muscle spasms and rigidity
Are There Side Effects To The Intrathecal Pain Pump?
Side effects for an intrathecal pain pump are relatively uncommon, but they may occur. The catheter may become blocked or may shift out of place. Cerebrospinal fluid may leak, causing headache or discharge from incisions. This side effect typically resolves on its own but, on some occasions, requires drainage.
The drugs administered through the pain pump may cause edema (swelling), nausea or vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, anxiety, dizziness, muscle spasms, or respiratory depression. The pre-treatment trial is conducted to reduce the risks of side effects by evaluating the effects of pain medication prior to use.
What Our Patients Say
“I have been seeing Dr Trujillo for more than three years both him and the staff has always been very professional and polite. They really care about me and we talk about different was to help my pain they don’t treat me like I’m stupid like a lot of doctors do I have the last word . I have had fifteen surgeries since my accident and I would Definitely recommend Dr. Trujillo for a pain management doctor thank you.” – Walt
Call Dr. Trujillo For An Intrathecal Pain Pump Treatment Consultation!
We take your pain seriously. For more information on intrathecal pain pump treatment, contact Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic. Call us at 928-532-1605 to schedule a consultation. Our practice serves Show Low, Arizona and surrounding areas.
