Intrathecal drug delivery systems (pain pumps) deliver medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord, providing powerful pain relief at a fraction of the oral dose. At Keith Schmidt, MD in Hoffman Estates, IL, we offer this advanced therapy for patients with severe chronic pain who need long-term medication management.
How Pain Pumps Work
A small, programmable pump is surgically implanted under the skin of your abdomen and connected to a thin catheter that delivers medication directly into the intrathecal space around your spinal cord. Because the medication goes directly to the pain receptors, it requires 1/300th of the oral dose—dramatically reducing systemic side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and constipation.
Who Benefits from a Pain Pump?
Intrathecal drug delivery is typically recommended for patients with severe chronic pain from failed back surgery syndrome, cancer pain, complex regional pain syndrome, or other conditions that haven’t responded adequately to oral medications, nerve blocks, or spinal cord stimulation. A trial period helps determine if this therapy is right for you before permanent implantation.
Explore advanced pain pump therapy. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Schmidt in Hoffman Estates.