A pain pump is an intraspinal drug delivery device. It is composed of two components, an implanted pump and an implanted intraspinal catheter (small flexible tube). The pump is usually placed in the lower stomach in the front. The catheter is placed in the spine into the spinal fluid.
The pump delivers medicine directly to the spine which has certain advantages over taking the medicine any other way. First of all, when taken this way, pain medications are 300 times more potent. This means that you can take 300 times less of the medication to achieve the same result. Also, there are some medications which cannot be taken by mouth or injection.
Q: Will the pain pump get rid of all my pain?
A: No, the pump will help with your pain. Usually it will reduce the pain by half. This should make you more able to be active and to do the things you want and need to do.
Q: How can I know if the pump will help?
A: You will be tested prior to the implant. This test is designed to determine if you are a good candidate for the pump. You will be given some intraspinal medicine to see if this helps you pain.
Q: Is this a major surgery?
A: No, it is an outpatient procedure. The pump is placed superficially under the skin. The recovery time is short.
Q: Will I get an anesthetic for the procedure?
A: Yes, the pumps are implanted under general anesthesia.
Q: When can I resume my activities?
A: Most patients can resume their usual activities within a day or two?
Q: What if I need an increase in my medicine?
A: The pumps are programmable by a computer which does this through the skin. A reprogram take only five minutes or so.
Q: What happen when my pump run out of medicine?
A: The pump will need to be filled from time to time. This will be done in the pain clinic. A small needle is placed into the pump, the old medicine is removed and replaced with new medicine. This takes about five minutes.
Q: How often will I need a pump refill?
A: This depends on what drug is in the pump, the drug’s concentration and how much of the drug you require. The range of refill times is about a months to six months.
Q: How long will the pump itself last?
A: With typical use, the pump will last around 7 years. It will then need to be replaced. This is an easier procedure than the original implant because the tube that goes to the spine is already there. Only the pump needs to be changed. This can often be done with IV sedation, without the need for general anesthesia. This is an hour long outpatient procedure.
Q: What are the common side effects of having a pain pump?
A: The most common side effects are itching, nausea, urinary retention (inability to urinate) and drowsiness. Most of the time these side effects go away within one or two days but they may last longer. Less commonly, swelling in the ankles might occur and this may last several weeks.
Q: Can the pump be removed?
A: Yes, a pump can be removed.
