Pain management—Chronic back pain intrathecal drug pump

Abstract

Abstract Chronic back pain is the most common musculoskeletal condition affecting the adult population making it the second leading cause of disability worldwide. A variety of treatment options available include manual therapy, medications, implants, alternative, and complementary medicines. The emergence of modern anesthesia has made it possible for pain physicians to deliver the antinociceptives directly to the intrathecal space. There are various methods of delivering medications intrathecally, some of which include the use of an external pump while others utilize fully implantable devices. In this chapter, we will discuss the history of analgesia, its role in pain management, and the management of chronic back pain. Different intrathecal drug delivery systems will be explored with an emphasis on intrathecal implantable devices, device placement, and complications associated with their placement.