Value

A sufficiently long preliminary treatment is necessary before the use of intrathecal pharmacotherapy. Qualified, long-term counseling of the patient, including documentation of the course of treatment is prerequisite.

Advantage

The side effects of medicinal treatment, for instance with opioids in the required dosage, can be significantly reduced.

Follow-up

An accompanying and coordinated physiotherapy program is recommended. It should be oriented essentially on the patient's symptoms of pain. By diminishing pain, a careful movement therapy, as well as coordinated strength training, can be implemented.

Ability to work

Through the effective interruption of pain when the medicine takes effect, the patient can work again.

Sports

Once the medicine begins to take effect, mobility is often improved.

Results

During the course of the international consensus conferences in Memphis in 1997 and in Brussels in 1998, international experience was summarized and recommendations for long-term therapy with opioids near the spinal cord (also for non-malignant pain) were made. These recommendations are based essentially on two retrospective studies from Paice, et al, and Winkenmüller. In both studies, patients with cancer pain, as well as patients with non-tumor-related, neuropathic, nociceptive (and mixed neuropathic-nociceptive) pain were observed and evaluated over a long period of time. The average reduction in pain was over 60 percent for all patients. Most noticeable was an essential improvement in the quality of life.

More links on this topic:

Visit our forum on back pain and spine related questions and search for: Intrathecal pharmacotherapy

Work ability after pharmacotherapy? Download your complete Book on back pain

Continue reading ... Epidural stimulation (electrical) in the vicinity of the spinal cord (SCS)