Opioid dependence can take a toll on the overall quality of one’s life in many ways. To reduce the reliance on opioids, and still be able to manage chronic pain, highly skilled interventional pain specialist Ajith Nair, MD, uses intrathecal pain pumps. At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists located in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Ajith Nair leads a team of specialists in offering safe intrathecal pain pumps and prides himself on more than 2-decades of experience in pump implantation. Dr. Nair provides personalized care to maintain your pump’s functionality and make sure that your chronic pain is well managed. Get started by scheduling an appointment with a Louisville intrathecal pain pump implant specialist by calling the office or booking online.
What is an intrathecal pain pump implant?
An intrathecal pain pump implant is the procedure whereby medication is delivered directly into one’s spine through the use of a small, insertable pump. This system will release medications in microdoses to manage the pain.
With an intrathecal pain pump, medications don’t go through your stomach, which means you enjoy the wholesome benefit. Suppose you require an increased dosage in oral opioid medications; you might experience health issues or side effects in the form of some addiction. A pain pump will effectively manage the pain without the call for oral prescriptions and requires a much lower dosage of these medicines to offer complete pain relief.
Who is the right candidate for an intrathecal pain pump?
If you experience chronic pain that’s not responding to conventional therapies and no longer want to experience side effects after taking opioid medications, you might be eligible for an intrathecal pain pump. Before recommending this treatment procedure, Dr. Nair first performs a comprehensive diagnosis, including medical cross-checks and evaluation tests.
The most common conditions addressed using this method are failed back surgery syndrome, migraines, spinal cord injury, cancer, and chronic pancreatitis. Intrathecal pain pump therapies can also help treat muscle spasticity prevalent with multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. Nevertheless, before one goes for a permanent pain pump, Dr. Nair takes you through a trial phase to determine if medication injections manage the pain.
What should you expect with intrathecal pain pump treatment?
Over the years, experienced interventional pain management specialist, Dr. Nair, has performed numerous safe and effective implant surgeries of intrathecal pain pumps. This procedure is conducted in two phases. The first one involves inserting a catheter into the intrathecal space surrounding one’s spinal cord via a small incision on your back.
During the second phase of the surgery, he positions the pump through small incisions made just below the patient’s waist. Once placed, this device will deliver microdoses of pain relief medications into your spine.
Following the surgery, the patient requires some downtime before resuming their routine activities. Most patients will realize a substantial alleviation in pain immediately after treatment commences. Generally, though, it might take a while before you realize optimal pain relief of this therapy.
Patients must make routine medication refill visits with Dr. Nair after surgery. During these visits, Dr. Nair checks if the implant is functioning correctly and whether the implant site is infected or not.
In conclusion, Kentuckiana Pain Specialists offers the safest and most comfortable pain relief options. To determine if you are the right candidate for intrathecal pain pump treatment, visit their website or call Kentuckiana Pain Specialists today to schedule an appointment.
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