Question Title: SynchroMed Infussion System

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Chronic Pain

Posted by CCF NEUROSURGERY MD on October 07, 1997 at 11:07:44:

In Reply to: SynchroMed Infussion System posted by Kathleen A. James on September 24, 1997 at 13:37:49:

: My husband is in chronic pain and has been for years. He is doctoring and the doctor has come up with these two solutions to help his cause. One is Spinal Cord Stimulation the other SynchroMed Infussion System. We have watched the tapes on both of these and read all the literature from the docotr. We have not been able to locate any patients that have had either done to ask questions of them. Can you please supply me with any further information on either of these procedures. Thank You. We have to make a decision in the near future.
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Dear Kathleen,

Your doctor has suggested two possible options for intractable pain in your
husband. First is a dorsal column stimulator. This is an implantable
device that delivers a mild electrical pulse to the spinal cord. The idea
is that this pulse can block pain impulses from projecting to the brain
where they are perceived as pain.

The other device is an infusion system and there are a few on the market.
These devices, again, are implantable and inject either narcotics or local
anesthetics to the spinal cord. The device has to be replenished periodically
with the medication via a syringe injection. Patients may require higher
doses of medication as tolerance develops.

Both systems carry the risk of infection as with any foreign substance
placed in the body, but it is low. It is difficult to say which system would
be more effective in your particular instance. This question would be best
answered by the physician who would implant the device and follow your
husband's pain after surgery.

Good luck.

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