Implantable Pain Pumps

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• Implantable Pain Pumps

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Implantable Pain Pump

• Also called
• Intraspinal or intrathecal pump

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Implantable Pain Pump

• Reasons for implantation
• When medications and other treatments are no
  longer working or
• Side effects are to severe

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Implantable Pain Pump

• Benefits
• Effective pain relief
• Reduced side effects (drowsiness) of pain
  medications
• Improved quality of life

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Implantable Pain Pump
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Implantable Pain Pumps

• Used for
• Cancer pain
• Non-cancer pain
• Failed low back surgery syndrome
• Spasticity from neurological conditions (multiple
  sclerosis, cerebral palsy, brain injury)
• Complex regional pain syndrome

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Implantable Pain Pump

• Surgically implanted
• Outpatient procedure
• Must obtain informed consent
• Positioning of the catheter is checked with
  fluoroscopy.

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Implantable Pain Pump

• Medications used
• Opioids
• Morphine
• Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
• Other medications (sometimes used in combination
  with a narcotic)
• Bupivacaine (Marcain)
• Clonidine
• Baclofen (helpful in managing spasticity)

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Implantable Pain Pump

• Side effects
• Limb numbness
• Swelling of the legs
• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood
  pressure)
• Urinary retention

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Implantable Pain Pumps

• Possible complications
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Cerebral spinal fluid leak
• Neurological injury
• Pump failure (client will exhibit withdrawal
  symptoms)
• Lack of professionals available in some areas to
  refill and adjust the pump
• Risk of overdose and death

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Implantable Pain Pump

• After Care
• Sutures removed in 7-10 days
• No bathing for four weeks, may shower
• Observe for visible swelling or leaking of fluid
  from the incisions
• Wear loose clothing over incision site
• Avoid bending, twisting, stretching, reaching
  overhead, or lifting objects over 5 pounds for
  6-8 wks (to avoid movement of the catheter near
  the spinal cord)