Intrathecal & Epidural Therapies

For individuals suffering from chronic pain that has not responded to traditional treatments, Intrathecal and Epidural therapies offer cutting-edge, minimally invasive solutions. These therapies deliver medication directly to the spinal cord or surrounding areas, offering targeted, more effective pain relief with fewer side effects compared to oral medications. We specialize in advanced spinal drug delivery systems to address various conditions including back pain, neck pain, neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and post-surgical pain.

Our team uses a range of advanced techniques to ensure that each patient receives the most appropriate, personalized treatment to manage their pain effectively.

Spinal Drug Delivery

What is Spinal Drug Delivery?
Spinal drug delivery involves the targeted administration of pain-relieving medications directly to the spinal cord or the epidural space. By delivering medication closer to the source of pain, spinal drug delivery maximizes the efficacy of the treatment while minimizing side effects associated with oral medications.

Benefits:

• Effective for treating chronic pain conditions.
• Minimizes systemic side effects.
• Offers long-lasting relief with lower doses of medication.
• Allows for adjustable and individualized treatment.

Intrathecal Programmable Pump Placement

What is an Intrathecal Programmable Pump?
An Intrathecal Programmable Pump is a small, battery-powered device that is implanted under the skin, usually in the abdomen. The pump delivers medication directly into the intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord. This pump is programmable, meaning it can be adjusted remotely to control the amount and type of medication delivered, providing customized, effective pain management.

When is it used?

• Chronic, intractable pain that is not managed by oral medications.
• Cancer pain or post-surgical pain.
• Neuropathic pain or conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Benefits:

• Provides long-term pain relief with lower doses of medication.
• Minimizes the need for oral pain medications.
• Programmable to ensure optimal pain control.
• Reduces side effects due to direct drug delivery.

Intrathecal Catheter Placement

What is Intrathecal Catheter Placement?
Intrathecal catheter placement is a procedure where a small, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the intrathecal space to deliver medication directly to the spinal cord. This technique is often used in conjunction with an implanted programmable pump, allowing for continuous medication delivery.

When is it used?

• Chronic pain that has not responded to oral medications.
• Conditions requiring continuous pain relief, such as neuropathic pain, back pain, or cancer-related pain.
• Post-surgical pain that requires long-term management.

Benefits:

• Directly targets the pain at its source.
• Long-term relief with minimal side effects.
• Can be combined with intrathecal pumps for effective, continuous drug delivery.

Implanted Epidural Portal

What is an Implanted Epidural Portal?
An implanted epidural portal is a device used for administering medication into the epidural space for pain relief. The portal consists of a small, permanent implant placed near the spinal cord that allows for easy, controlled delivery of medication over time, either continuously or as needed.

When is it used?

• Chronic, intractable pain in the neck, back, or legs.
• Pain conditions that do not respond to oral medications or injections.
• Long-term management of conditions like spinal stenosis or herniated discs.

Benefits:

• Provides ongoing, controlled pain relief.
• Reduces dependence on oral pain medications.
• Minimally invasive with reduced risk of side effects.

Temporary Epidural Catheter

What is a Temporary Epidural Catheter?
A temporary epidural catheter is a short-term device used to deliver medication to the epidural space for pain management. This catheter is typically used for acute pain management following surgery or injury. The catheter is removed once pain levels decrease or can be extended for longer-term use if needed.

When is it used?

• Post-surgical pain relief, particularly following spinal surgery or orthopedic procedures.
• Acute back pain or sciatica.
• Short-term management of pain after traumatic injury.

Benefits:

• Provides rapid, targeted pain relief.
• Reduces the need for oral pain medications.
• Easy to remove once pain subsides.

Caudal, Interlaminar, Transforaminal, and Translaminar Epidural Steroid Injections

What are Epidural Steroid Injections?
Epidural steroid injections are a common treatment for pain relief, especially for conditions affecting the spine. These injections deliver corticosteroids directly into the epidural space (the area surrounding the spinal cord) to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, and spinal stenosis.

There are several types of epidural steroid injections, each designed to target specific areas of pain:

• Caudal Epidural Steroid Injections: Injections administered into the lower part of the epidural space, typically used for lower back pain and sciatica.
• Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections: Delivered through the back of the spine to treat neck, upper back, or lower back pain.
• Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: Target specific nerve roots where they exit the spinal column, ideal for conditions like radiculopathy (nerve root pain).
• Translaminar Epidural Steroid Injections: Delivered directly into the epidural space to treat generalized inflammation across the spine.

When is it used?

• Herniated discs and radiculopathy.
• Sciatica, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.
• Post-surgical pain or chronic neck and back pain.

Benefits:

• Effective in reducing inflammation and providing relief from nerve pain.
• Minimally invasive with quick recovery times.
• Can provide long-lasting pain relief, reducing the need for systemic pain medications.

Racz Catheter Epiduroscopy Adhesiolysis

What is Racz Catheter Epiduroscopy Adhesiolysis?
Racz Catheter Epiduroscopy Adhesiolysis is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic lower back pain, particularly when caused by scar tissue or adhesions in the epidural space. Using a catheter, a specialized scope is inserted into the epidural space to locate and break up scar tissue or adhesions that may be restricting nerve function and causing pain.

When is it used?

• Chronic pain after spinal surgery (failed back surgery syndrome).
• Pain caused by epidural adhesions or scar tissue.
• Degenerative disc disease and conditions involving nerve compression.

Benefits:

• Provides relief for patients suffering from scar tissue or adhesions that compress nerve roots.
• Reduces the need for additional surgery.
• Helps restore normal nerve function and improves mobility.

Why Choose Intrathecal & Epidural Therapies?

Precision and Targeting:
Both intrathecal and epidural therapies deliver pain medication directly to the site of the pain, offering superior pain relief compared to oral medications.

Minimally Invasive:
These therapies are minimally invasive, often involving small catheters or devices that require only small incisions and lead to faster recovery times.

Long-Lasting Relief:
With direct delivery of medication, these therapies provide sustained pain relief, reducing the need for constant medication adjustments and offering long-term benefits.

Fewer Side Effects:
Because medication is administered directly to the site of pain, there are fewer systemic side effects, making these therapies safer for long-term use.

How We Can Help

If you're struggling with chronic pain and have not found relief through traditional methods, Intrathecal and Epidural therapies may be the solution you're looking for.