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All Posts Tagged: Intrathecal pump treatment

chronic-back-pain

Are you enduring chronic back pain and lost hope?, here is what you need to know

After years of enduring tormenting chronic back pain and being told there was no probability of improvement CiaraCollins of New York finally got her happy days back, thanks to unique treatment she received at The Pain Management Institute. The excruciating pain was due to chronic nerve damage the 28 year old mother of two, encountered after several lower spine surgeries she has undergone five years earlier. Doctors informed her that there is no treatment that can help with the pain and she has to endure it for the rest of her life. The candle of hope lightened when Ciara met Dr. Zaki Anwer, MD, the Pain Management Institute, where she was implanted with Intrathecal Pain Pump to manage her debilitating chronic pain

Ciara had travelled to visit Dr. Zaki Anwer, MD, a pain management specialist, after loosing hopes by several other doctors. Dr. Zaki Anwer, MD, tried a few treatment options including injections and medications. However, after no results he suggested an Intrathecal pain pump trial, a procedure in which a small amount of Opoid pain medication is injected into the epidural space, the trial was exceptionally successful for reducing Ciara’s pain and Dr. Zaki Anwer, MD, referred her a permanent placement of Intrathecal Drug Pump at Pain Management Clinic

The Pain Management Institute is a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort to alleviate pain and restore function by application of technology and medicine,” says Dr. Zaki Anwer,MD, “For the suitable candidate the spinal cord stimulation or Intrathecal Pain Pump therapy can potentially reduce pain and improve the quality of life”

The Intrathecal pain pump therapy is a treatment option for patients enduring chronic pain that does not respond to other treatment options. The is a hockey puck sized that is surgically implanted into the abdomen and works by pumping medications straight the area where the spinal cord is found, also known as the Intrathecal Space. The medication then affects the pain receptors in the spinal cord and the brain to reduce the pain.

Since the medication is released continuously, it is much more effective than oral. Consequently, less medication is taken to manage the pain and the patients are likely to experience fewer side effects, such as nausea, drowsiness, constipation and mental fogginess

Following a successful surgery of having implants Intrathecal Pain Pump and weeks later refilled with medications, Ciara was finally able to manage her pain. She praises the dedicated yet sympathetic staff of the Pain Management Institute helping her get back her happiest days. “Dr. Zaki Anwer, MD, gave me something that I lost hope of, the light of hopes after a very dark period” said Ciara, “My words are limited to express how thankful I am to have an amazing Pain Management Specialist’s care for me”

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What you need to know about the benefits and risks of Intrathecal pump therapy?

Overview

The Intrathecal pump therapy is the process of providing medications directly into the spinal cord. The therapy is followed by the use of a small device attached to a thin tube called catheter. The device is surgically implanted under the skin the basic purpose of the pump is to relive pain and  reduce side effects from oral medications

Advantages

There are several advantages of Intrathecal pump therapy that may include

Immediate and long term pain relief, Increased mobility of the spinal cord, participation in routinely activities and physical workouts,  Less intake of oral medications, resulting in lower side effects and reducing dependency on oral medications. The Intrathecal pump therapy is potentially safe and highly effective. The Intrathecal pump therapy does not include any permanent changes in the spinal cord or the nerve network.  The therapy is reversible and easily testable and can be adjusted according to your needs

Risks of the Intrathecal pump therapy

Since the Intrathecal pump therapy is surgically implanted under the skin, there might be complications  that may include; infection, cerebro spinal fluid leakage and headaches. In case of any active infections or allergic reactions it is strictly advised to avoid the Intrathecal pump therapy

The implantation of the drug pump can create several complications that sometimes require surgery to settle, the complications can also be caused by inadequate dosage of the drug an can bring life threatening consequences

The most observed complications include;

The displacement of the drug pump, the leakage from the catheter, tearing or loosen contact of the catheter with the device. The device stops working or in some cases growth of inflamed tissues at the end of the catheter that may result in paralysis

Intrathecal Pump therapy and other chronic pain treatments

Intrathecal pump therapy enjoys priority over other treatments offered for chronic pain due to its uncommon benefits

Prior to implanting the drug pump for permanent bases, a temporary testing period is considered to check if the pain is relieved. The therapy is not permanent such as back pain surgery and can be easily adjustable and reversed, if not needed by the patient, Intrathecal pump therapy dissimilar to oral medication release potentially small amounts of dosage  straight into the spinal cord, reducing pain abruptly. The Intrathecal pump therapy works wonders when all the other medications have failed

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