Intrathecal pain pumps provide a safe and effective way to ease ongoing pain that hasn’t responded to conservative care. At Philadelphia Smart Pain & Wellness, with offices in Northeast Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, pain management specialist Samuel Grodofsky, MD, is a highly trained and nationally recognized leader in pain pump management. Dr. Grodofsky implants pain pumps on an outpatient basis in a nearby ambulatory surgery center. To learn more about pain pump management, book an appointment online, or call the nearest office today.

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What is pain pump management?

Pain pump management uses implantable intrathecal pain pumps to relieve ongoing (chronic) pain caused by injury or disease.

The pump is a small device that sends pain medication into a tube implanted in the intrathecal space surrounding your spinal cord. Dr. Grodofsky places both the pump and tube under your skin during a quick, outpatient surgery. You control the amount of medication released with an electronic remote control.

Once the medicine reaches the nerves along your spine, it stops them from sending pain signals to your brain.

Who can benefit from pain pump management?

Whenever possible, Dr. Grodofsky treats chronic pain using conservative, minimally invasive treatments.

If your pain continues, affects your mobility, or interferes with your quality of life, you could benefit from pain pump management. That’s especially true if you’ve tried medication, physical therapy, or injections without any significant relief.

What does pain pump management involve?

If Dr. Grodofsky determines that you can benefit from pain pump management, he schedules an outpatient operation at a nearby ambulatory surgery center.

On the day of your procedure, you change into a hospital gown and lie face down on an exam table. An anesthesiologist administers anesthesia that puts you to sleep. Dr. Grodofsky then makes a small incision near your spine and inserts the medication tube beneath your skin.

He then makes a small incision near your lower back and implants the pump about an inch beneath your skin. The pump contains the medicine that’s delivered through a catheter that connects to the medication tube. After joining the pump to the medication tube, Dr. Grodofsky stitches up the incision.

Following surgery, he gives you a remote control and explains how to use the pump. You’ll return every several weeks to the office to have your pump refilled.

Is pain pump management safe?

Pain pump management is safe and usually tolerated well. But risks are a part of any surgery. To lower the risk of infection, nerve damage, and other complications, follow Dr. Grodofsky’s instructions carefully. Be sure to go to all of your follow-up appointments and be patient during your recovery.

To see if you’re a candidate for pain pump management, request a consultation at Philadelphia Smart Pain & Wellness. Book an appointment online, or call the nearest office today.