Intrathecal Pumps

Becoming a candidate for an intrathecal opioid pump is not a race that anyone really wants to win - Christina Lasich MD

Intrathecal Pumps

image by: Johnny Henderson

HWN Recommends

Intrathecal Opioid Pumps: Few Pros, Many Cons

An intrathecal opioid pump is really not something that you would wish for your BFF or your worst enemy. That special someone would have to be in a pretty dire situation in order to receive a pump. Once the pump is in place, that person is still probably in miserable pain just at a slightly lesser degree. However, now that person is dealing with the numerous problems associated with intrathecal pumps. Nope, these devices which inject chemicals directly into the spinal canal from a surgically implanted pump are fraught with enough complications that even a minor amount of benefit may not be worthwhile for anyone, friend or foe.

Becoming a candidate for an intrathecal opioid pump is…

read full article

Resources

Medtronic ordered to stop most sales of drug pump

Monday's agreement with the Food and Drug Administration means the company can continue to sell the pump only in what the agency called "very limited" cases in which the patients understand the risks and physicians determine there is medical need.

My Pain Pump Success

A big benefit of the pain pump is that the medications are going through your spine and not your stomach, you dont have to worry about getting an ulcer from constant pain meds. You don't get the stoned feeling like with pills as bad.

Pump it Up: How Spinal Pumps Work

Patients usually wonder about two things with spinal pumps: if it's possible to accidentally overdose and if the pump will give extra medication when they absolutely need it. No and no. Now, let me elaborate.

Studies Link Rare Ailment to Pain Pumps

When the first cases popped up in orthopedic journals, they read like medical mysteries. Surgeons around the country reported that several active young patients had suddenly developed chondrolysis, a relatively rare ailment in which joint cartilage dies, leaving bone to grind on bone.

Intrathecal Opioid Pumps: Few Pros, Many Cons

An intrathecal opioid pump is really not something that you would wish for your BFF or your worst enemy. That special someone would have to be in a pretty dire situation in order to receive a pump.