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What happens next?

Once the decision has been made to try IDD, a test is usually done. This allows you and your doctor to see how well IDD works for you before deciding whether to have the operation.  The test can be done as an outpatient or you may be admitted for a short hospital stay.

During the test, which involves continuous infusion, pain relieving medicine is delivered continuously to the spine through a small tube. One end of it is placed in the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and the other end is attached to an external pump. This test lasts several days or weeks and closely resembles the treatment delivered by IDD.  During the test, pain relief can be weighed against any side-effects and different pain relieving medicines can be tried to see what works best for you. 

If the test is successful, and you decide to go ahead with IDD, the pump is implanted (put in place) in an operation that may require a short hospital stay.

  • Before the operation, you and your surgeon will decide the most comfortable and suitable place for the pump. Usually this position is below the belt-line to one side of the lower abdomen (stomach area)
  • The operation typically lasts around 1 hour and is performed under anaesthesia
  • Your surgeon fixes the pump into position
  • A second small hole is made for the tube in the skin of your back.  The tube is then passed through the hole and is connected to the pump
  • Once the pump and tube are in place, the holes are closed and the operation is over
Last updated: 22 Sep 2010