Spinal Cord Stimulation and Intrathecal Medication Infusion Systems

When patients who suffer from severe constant pain and who basically fail to adequately respond to most other forms of therapeutic intervention, we evaluate those patients as possible candidates for advanced therapeutics utilizing advanced devices developed to treat the more difficult cases.

A Spinal Cord Stimulator is an electrical-based apparatus that is placed in the epidural space in the spinal area, which is designed to electrically block the painful symptoms shooting up into the brain, ultimately decreasing the level of pain felt by the patient. It is initially trialed through a percutaneous approach, and only when proven to be of significant benefit to the patient, is the patient sent to a Surgeon for permanent placement of the final device. This is not for everyone, but when indicated, can afford patients with tough pain, answers to assist in helping control their pain.

Medication infusion systems is a “pump” style devise that is placed into a person’s abdominal wall and pumps medication constantly through a catheter that wraps around, under their skin, into the fluid compartment of the spine. This option is only for advanced pain patients that have truly failed most other forms of pain control.

Both of these systems are surgically placed and hence have typical potential post-operative complication rates based on a patient’s underlying medical condition and immune status. Again, these are advance options for difficult cases but yet offer choices when trying to help control a patient’s severe pain patterns, unresponsive to prior treatments.