"Intrathecal pump" is the technical term for a device sometimes called a "pain pump." It delivers small amounts of medicine directly to your spinal fluid. This medicine is usually strong pain medicine, such as morphine or other opioid, or baclofen, a muscle relaxer.
Doctors use pumps to lessen the pain of unsuccessful back surgery, cancer, or nerve issues. They can also reduce spasticity, or muscle stiffness, in people with neurological health issues.
Delivering pain medicines in small doses through an intrathecal pump helps reduce the side effects and mitigate risks associated with oral medications.
UPMC surgeons use the latest techniques and devices to treat your chronic pain. We reduce your side effects and symptoms while restoring your quality of life.
An intrathecal pump is also known as a "pain pump." It delivers small quantities of pain medicines, such as morphine or other opioid pain, or baclofen, a muscle relaxer, directly into the spinal fluid.
The intrathecal pump is a metal device that stores and delivers the medicines. The medicines travel through a catheter (tube) into the space around the spinal cord.
Some pumps deliver a steady dose of medicine throughout the day. Other pumps are programmable — your doctor can set them to release the medicine over time or only at specific times of the day.
There are two types of intrathecal drug pump implants:
Intrathecal drug pump implants treat pain related to:
You may need an intrathecal drug pump implant if you have chronic pain. It is an option if your pain is not relieved with other medicines or nonsurgical treatments. It is also an option if you have side effects caused by high doses of oral pain medicines.
You may be a candidate for an intrathecal drug pump implant if you have severe chronic pain or spasticity. A pain pump is an option when these symptoms are not relieved with medicines or nonsurgical treatments and affect your ability to perform everyday activities.
You may also be a candidate if you need to reduce your use of oral medicines due to side effects.
Depending on your health issue, surgery may help relieve pain. This would be an alternative to an intrathecal drug pump implant in some cases. In other cases, nonsurgical alternatives may help.
These include:
To implant the pain pump, your doctor needs to do surgery. As with any surgery, an intrathecal drug pump implant comes with some risks.
Possible complications include:
Pain pumps can help you control chronic pain. But they can also increase your risk of medicine overdose or withdrawal.
To reduce your risk of these complications, you should:
Before you get a permanent pain pump, your doctor may send you for an evaluation. This testing helps find out if the pump will improve your pain.
During the evaluation, you will receive a test injection of medicine, sometimes called a trial intrathecal injection.
The doctor injects medicine into your spine during a procedure called a spinal tap. Another option is to perform a surgical procedure to implant a temporary intrathecal drug pump.
If the medicine helps to reduce your pain level, your doctor may suggest a permanent intrathecal drug pump.
Before surgery, you will meet with your surgical team and have a physical exam. Your surgical team may order tests, such as:
Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and answer your questions.
To prepare for the procedure, you should:
On the day of your procedure, bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.
After your procedure, you may need to stay in the hospital, or they may discharge you the same day, depending on your doctor's assessment.
If you stay overnight, you should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medicines, and a change of clothes. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after the care team discharges you.
Intrathecal drug pump implant surgery typically takes about two hours.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will meet with your care team for final preparations.
You will receive an IV and general anesthesia so that you will sleep through the procedure. Your anesthesiologist will ensure that you are comfortable and do not feel any pain.
After you are asleep, your surgeon will:
After your procedure, your surgeon will close your incision and make sure you are stable.
After your procedure, the care team will monitor you in the recovery area as you wake up. Depending on your doctor's assessment, you may need to stay overnight, or they may discharge you that day. You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital after the care team discharges you.
Before you go home, your doctor will tell you:
Most people recover from intrathecal drug pump implant surgery in six to eight weeks.
A doctor permanently implants the intrathecal drug pump into your body. They can only remove it with another surgery. You will need regular visits with your doctor to refill your pump with medicine and adjust your dose.
Because the pump is battery-operated, you will need another surgery to replace the battery. Your surgeon will let you know how long your pump battery should last. Most batteries last five years or more.
You should let your surgeon know if you have:
Most people can live full and active lives after intrathecal drug pump implant surgery.
More than 90% of people experience pain relief after an intrathecal drug pump implant.
UPMC surgeons use the least invasive, most effective approaches to treating chronic pain. Our multidisciplinary team uses the latest surgical and nonsurgical devices and techniques. We aim to provide optimal pain control, promoting safer pain management, improved outcomes, and enhanced quality of life.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-03-18 by John Moossy, MD.
