Skip to main content

Intrathecal Pumps

Senior couple making groceries Back to Services list

A doctor may recommend an intrathecal pump if pain medications or other therapies can’t help control pain. An intrathecal pump is a small device that is surgically placed under the skin in a patient’s midsection. The pump sends pain medication directly to the nerves in the spine to reduce the amount of pain messages sent to the brain.

The medications used in the intrathecal pump go directly to the nerves in the spine, reducing the amount of medication needed as well as the amount of side effects from medications. The medication in the pump will need to be refilled every 4 to 6 weeks.

How TDD Works




In targeted drug-delivery, a drug pump delivers pain medication directly to the fluid around the spinal cord. The pump is connected to a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. Both the pump and the catheter are fully implanted under the skin.