Baclofen Pump Management

Baclofen is a prescription medication for pain and spasticity. Patients with severe spasticity or pain could require a baclofen pump, which administers doses of the drug into the spinal fluid. Haresh Sampathkumar, MD, and the interdisciplinary team at Delaware NeuroRehab provide baclofen pump management at their clinic in Dover, Wilmington and Newark, Delaware. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about baclofen pump management at this group medical practice.

What is baclofen?

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that acts on nerves in the spinal cord to reduce the number and severity of muscle spasms in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injuries. The medication also reduces pain and improves muscle movement.

It’s prescribed to treat pain and spasticity — uncontrollable muscle contractions that affect movement. It’s typically taken by mouth as a tablet or liquid three times a day.

But if severe spasticity continues and your pain fails to improve with oral doses, you could benefit from a baclofen pump. This medical device delivers the baclofen directly into your spinal fluid for better relief.

When is baclofen pump management recommended?

Baclofen pump management is needed for people following the placement of a baclofen pump. The Delaware NeuroRehab specializes in treating spasticity and could recommend the baclofen pump to their patients with severe symptoms.

Surgeons place the pump under the skin of the abdomen and then tunnel a catheter from the pump to the area of the spine where the medication is needed. The catheter administers the drug, which goes into your spinal fluid.

Before placing the baclofen pump, the Delaware NeuroRehab team does a spinal tap, injecting a small amount of baclofen into your spinal fluid. They evaluate the spinal tap results to decide if the baclofen pump is the right choice for you.

What can I expect from baclofen pump management?

You can expect personalized and compassionate care from the team at Delaware NeuroRehab for baclofen pump management.

The team has you come to the office at regular intervals to refill the medication in your pump and monitor symptoms. They refill the pump by inserting a needle through your skin to gain access to the port in the pump. Depending on your baclofen dose, you’ll need refills every one to six months.

The team will adjust your dose as needed and teach you how to refill your pump at home. However, you need to continue to visit Delaware NeuroRehab at least twice a year for monitoring and pump care.

You need to have your baclofen pump replaced when the battery in the pump approaches the end of its life, which usually happens five to seven years after placement.

Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about baclofen pump management at Delaware NeuroRehab.