Targeted Drug Delivery (Pain Pump)

What is targeted drug delivery?

Targeted drug delivery — commonly called a pain pump — uses a small implanted pump and a thin catheter to deliver pain medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Because medication reaches its target directly instead of circulating through the whole body, effective doses are a small fraction of equivalent oral doses, which can mean better relief with fewer systemic side effects like sedation and constipation.

Who benefits from a pain pump?

Candidates are typically patients with severe chronic pain — often cancer-related pain or persistent pain after spine surgery — who get meaningful relief from oral medication but can't tolerate the doses required, or whose pain remains uncontrolled despite comprehensive treatment. As with spinal cord stimulation, a trial dose is given first so you and Dr. Eaddy can confirm the therapy works for you before any implant.

What is living with a pump like?

The pump sits under the skin of the abdomen and holds a reservoir of medication that is refilled in the office every few months through a simple needle access — a short routine visit. Dosing is programmed wirelessly and fine-tuned over time. The system is fully reversible and is managed entirely by the practice, so your pain control no longer depends on pharmacy schedules or pill counts.