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Pain Management: Spinal Drug Delivery Systems

Pain relief through spinal drug delivery systems, also called intrathecal drug delivery systems, involves implanting a small pump or using a catheter that delivers medication directly to the spinal cord, where pain signals travel.

In many cases, spinal drug delivery systems are used to treat people who have cancer pain. They have also been used in people with chronic pain.

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What Are the Advantages of Spinal Drug Delivery Systems?

Spinal drug delivery systems increase pain relief and comfort for people with severe pain with less medicine. In addition, the system can cause fewer side effects than oral medications because less medicine is required to control pain. People who have extreme pain can often improve their quality of life and become more involved in daily activities with the help of the systems.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on March 03, 2013
Edited by Ephraim K Brenman, DO on March 01, 2007
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