Morphine Pump vs. Spinal Cord Stimulator for Back Pain
Dec 28, 2016
As we have discussed many times on this blog, there are a wide variety of treatment options for patients who suffer from chronic pain. In this article, we are going to compare and contrast morphine pumps and spinal cord stimulators in terms of the pain management options they provide.
A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that is surgically implanted into a patient’s body. This device sends electrical signals to the spine at regulated intervals to disrupt the pain signals sent from the spinal nerves to the brain. The idea behind spinal cord stimulation is to interrupt these pain signals in the spinal nerves before they are able to reach the brain. As a result, the patient does not feel the nerve-related pain because their brain has not received the signal to feel pain.
Spinal cord stimulators can be effective pain management solutions for patients with spinal nerve issues (bulging discs, pinched nerves, etc.).
A morphine pump is somewhat similar to a spinal cord stimulator in that it is a device that is surgically implanted into a person’s body. This device sends morphine into the spine in order to reduce back pain. The biggest difference between a stimulator and a morphine pain pump is the method of pain relief. A stimulator sends electrical signals to disrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain, while a pain pump is delivering actual medication to the painful area. Both systems of pain relief can be effective for different conditions and injuries. One concern with the morphine pain pump is that you want to regulate the morphine in such a way so the patient doesn’t form an addiction. Spinal cord stimulators don’t have that concern.
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been offering pain management solutions to Minnesota patients for the past two decades. Our board-certified pain doctors have experience treating acute and chronic pain condition, and are trained in the most innovative treatments and procedures, including regenerative medicine techniques (PRP therapy and Prolotherapy injections). If you are suffering from chronic pain and want to get back to living your life without the constant interference of pain, contact our Edina pain doctors today to set up your appointment.