Intrathecal Drug Delivery uses a small pump that is surgically placed under the skin of the abdomen to deliver medication directly into the intrathecal space (the area surrounding the spinal cord). The medication is delivered through a small, soft tube called a catheter that is also surgically placed. The pump releases the medication at a set rate.

The spinal cord is like a highway for pain signals on their way to the brain, where the feeling of pain is experienced by your body. Because the drug is delivered directly to where the pain signals travel, intrathecal drug delivery offers significant pain control, with a small fraction of the dose that would be required with pills. This may help minimize side effects.

A screening test (trial) is done to evaluate how well you respond to the medication. The trial usually lasts 24-72 hours and is done as an inpatient hospital procedure. With this procedure, a continuous infusion of medication is delivered to the spine through a temporary, implanted catheter.

Only your physician can determine is you are a candidate for intrathecal drug delivery.

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