September 19, 2026
For individuals living with severe, chronic pain that has failed to respond to oral medications, injections, or previous surgeries, Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems—commonly called intrathecal pain pumps—offer a highly effective treatment option.
By delivering targeted pain medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, an intrathecal pain pump provides superior pain control using a tiny fraction of the medication required by oral drugs.
An intrathecal pain pump consists of two primary components: a small, battery-powered programmable pump implanted under the skin of the abdomen, and a thin, flexible tube (catheter) routed under the skin into the intrathecal space (the fluid-filled area surrounding the spinal cord).
Pain signals travel up the spinal cord to reach the brain. Receptors that process these pain signals are concentrated heavily along the spinal cord itself.
By depositing medication (such as morphine, hydromorphone, or ziconotide) directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF):
Intrathecal pain pumps are primarily considered for patients with severe, refractory pain conditions, including:
Before a pump is permanently implanted, patients undergo a temporary trial. During this trial, a small catheter delivers a test dose of medication into the intrathecal space. If the trial yields significant pain relief and improved mobility with minimal side effects, the patient and care team can proceed with confidence toward permanent implantation.