Intrathecal Pump / Targeted Drug Delivery (ITP/TDD)
A minimally invasive therapy that delivers medication directly to the spinal fluid — providing significant pain control at a fraction of the oral dose for patients with severe, refractory chronic pain.
Who This May Help
Intrathecal pump therapy may be right for you if you have been living with chronic pain that has not responded adequately to oral medications, injections, physical therapy, or prior surgery. It is particularly well-suited for patients who rely on high doses of oral pain medications but continue to experience significant discomfort, or who struggle with side effects that interfere with their quality of life.
Conditions commonly treated include chronic back or neck pain, failed back or neck surgery syndrome, cancer-related pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), peripheral neuropathy, and nerve damage from injury or surgery. A consultation with our clinical team will determine whether you are a candidate.
How Intrathecal Drug Delivery Works
An intrathecal pump delivers medication directly into the spinal fluid, placing it precisely where pain receptors are located. The system consists of a small programmable pump implanted beneath the skin of the abdomen, connected to a slender catheter that carries medication to the intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord. The pump is pre-programmed to release a precise, continuous dose and can be adjusted at any follow-up visit using an external device — allowing the therapy to be fine-tuned to your specific needs over time.
Before a permanent implant, patients complete a trial period in which medication is injected directly into the intrathecal space to evaluate how your body responds. For patients who respond well and choose to move forward, the implantation is performed through two small incisions as a same-day outpatient procedure. Once implanted, the pump requires periodic in-office refills and routine programming adjustments.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Intrathecal pump therapy is a same-day outpatient procedure. Some soreness at the incision sites is expected in the first few days. Most patients are able to resume light daily activities within one to two weeks, with activity gradually expanding as healing progresses. Our team will schedule follow-up visits to fine-tune the pump programming and optimize your comfort.
Once calibrated, many patients experience stable, sustained pain control that allows them to reduce oral medications and re-engage with activities that pain had previously limited. Ongoing care — including scheduled refills and periodic programming reviews — is a routine part of life with an intrathecal pump, and our team remains actively involved long term.
Schedule a Consultation
A consultation is the right starting point. Our clinical team will review your history and determine the most appropriate path forward.