RSD Alert

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Index to non-Drug Treatments for RSD/CRPS

RSD Alert is a voluntary organisation publishinginformation about CRPS (traditonally known as RSD). Most of the date is provided by readers.
NOTE: what works for one person may not work for others. Always consult your medical advisor about your own treatment.

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Treatments

Treatments on RSD Alert

(Information - plus comments from correspondents)

Intrathecal Infusion Pump
Description
 A method of controlling application of a drug by fitting an external supply with a pump under the patient's control that administers doses into the body as needed. Direct infusion of a medication into the intrathecal space around the spinal cord can suppress severe back or extremity pain . The surgery involves placing a reservoir under the skin of the lower anterior abdomen. Simultaneously, a catheter is placed into the spinal fluid space and then connected to the reservoir. The contents of the reservoir, typically morphine or baclofen, can be programmed to infuse into the spinal fluid in a controlled fashion . The reservoirs can be refilled as necessary.
Notes

 

 To determine if a patient would be a good candidate for a spinal pump, a trial injection via a lumbar puncture is performed. Those patients who receive the desired result are considered for placement of a pump.

IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE OF THIS TREATMENT PLEASE USE FEEDBACK TO TELL US ABOUT IT

Comments

I have RSD. I now take methodone, neurontin, and elavil but I am considering having a morphine pump installed. I would like to hear from anyone with RSD who has had an intrathecal infusion pump implanted. I have appreciated the things I have read on this site but would like to hear more about experiences with the pump implant. Scotty

Epidural Analgesia is a well established technique - either by injection or via an indwelling catheter attached to a pump. There is a difference between Intrathecal and Epidural in that they describe slightly different areas of the spinal anatomy - thus it depends where the cannula is finally positioned and the choice of which will depend on the anaesthetists decision. BOTH are used in pain management - but epidural is also often used in "Wide Awake" surgery and in childbirth whilst intrathecal is used more commonly to treat neuropathic pain.
You can find a rather wordy but well written account of Epidural Inject on: http://www.neurologychannel.com/epidural/ Dave Barton - Administrator of SKIPS (Support for Kids In Pain) Many thanks to Dave for this explanation, given in answer to a question about the difference between "epidural" and "intracathecal"
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