Targeted drug delivery System for pain management
What Is an Intrathecal Drug Pain Pump?
An Intrathecal Drug Pain Pump (also referred to as a Pain Pump, Intrathecal Pump, or Targeted Drug Delivery/TDD) is a medical device that is fully implanted in the patient’s body and delivers medication. The medication is stored in a reservoir inside the pump and is delivered continuously though a small tube, called a catheter, into the fluid around the spinal cord (the intrathecal space). The pump is about the size of a hockey puck and the catheter the size of a strand of angel hair pasta.
The pump typically holds one to three months of medication and is refilled using a small needle accessing the medication reservoir. Refilling the pump is relatively painless and takes about five minutes.
This device allows the patient to use a much smaller, targeted dose of medication, which may lessen the side effects and improve pain control. At CPSC, our providers practice personalized medicine and the medication in the pump is custom ordered for each patient and their specific pain and tolerance.
Advantages Of Intrathecal Drug Delivery
Smaller doses
A pain pump allows targeted drug delivery to the spinal cord while bypassing the barriers encountered by oral medications (e.g. gastrointestinal track, blood stream, and blood-brain barrier).
Fewer side effects
Targeted drug delivery gives you pain relief with a fraction of the amount of medicine and less side effects compared to oral medications. The decreased doses reduce side effects while the therapy optimizes pain control.
Improved pain relief
Targeted drug delivery has shown to be more effective in managing pain than conventional medical management with less medicine.
Increased survival rate
Cancer pain can cause people to stop treatment which lowers survival rates. By managing pain this allows patients to maintain treatments improving survival rates.
Who is a good candidate for a pain pump?
- Patients experiencing chronic pain, pain related to cancer or its treatments, or pain with spasticity may be candidates for this therapy
- Patients who experience drowsiness, altered mental status, nausea, or other side effects with oral pain medications
- Patients with cancer-related pain are often excellent candidates for a pain pump. Pain from cancer can be debilitating and as the cancer progresses, pain may worsen, and higher doses of opioids may be prescribed
- Patients who have difficulty remembering to take their pain medications or depend on family members or caregivers to administer their medications
- Patients who have a fear of opioid dependency or are taking more medication than the CDC recommends
Pain Pump Options
Pain pumps are programmed using a tablet and Bluetooth connection. In most cases your doctor will set a continuous rate, equivalent to a long-acting (or sustained-release) pain pill, and a bolus dose, equivalent to your breakthrough (or short-acting) pain pill. You will be able to give yourself extra doses as needed using a PTM (patient therapy manager) or PTC (patient therapy controller) depicted above.
Process for getting an intrathecal pain pump
After you and your provider determine you are a candidate for TDD, you will first complete a Behavioral Health Evaluation. The goal of this assessment is to confirm you understand the therapy and that your expectations for the therapy is consistent with your healthcare provider’s expectations. As every patient and every patient’s pain is different, your CPSC providers will custom order your medications for your pump. If you pain relief is not adequate or side effects are intolerable, a new combination and/or concentrations of medications may be ordered. To achieve maximum pain relief and minimal side effects, we encourage you to communicate with your providers and our staff.
Before Surgery
The Trial
Candidates for pain pumps will first be scheduled for a trial to assess the effectiveness of the therapy. There are two different types of trials: a Single-Shot Injection or a Continuous Intrathecal Infusion. Following a successful trial, in which your pain is reduced by at least 50%, you will be scheduled for a Pre-Operative Visit.
During Surgery
The Pump Implant
The pump is usually surgically implanted in the lower abdomen and the catheter is inserted into your lower back. One end of the catheter is connected to the pump and the other is positioned in your spinal fluid. The pump is implanted with medication and will begin infusing immediately after implant.
Follow up
Post Surgery
You may experience pain relief within a few hours after surgery, or you may require an adjustment to your dose when your provider feels it is appropriate. You will return to the clinic around 7 days following your implant for a Post-Surgical Evaluation. We will assess your incisions and discuss any changes to your dose or medications that might be necessary.