Implantable Drug Pumps for Chronic Back Pain

Illustration: Courtesy of Medtronic, Inc.

For many people with excruciating spine pain, taking meds by mouth just doesn’t do the job. An implantable drug delivery system (aka, the drug pump) is a pain management treatment that is sometimes used as a last resort to control neuropathic pain and/or spasticity. The beauty of this system is that it takes a lot less drug to do the job, which greatly reduces side effects. It is especially good for those patients who have been taking oral narcotics but have not been getting the relief they seek. One of the risks, although rare, is an infection called inflammatory granuloma. Drug pumps come with other risks, as well.