Intrathecal Pain Pump Insertion Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a pump inserted, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Spinal headaches
• Catheter tube becomes blocked and stops working
• Side effects from the pain medicine
• Pump-related complications
• Nerve injury

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Psychological problems
• Active infection
• Allergy or intolerance to the pain medicine or materials being used
• Bleeding disorders, concurrent anticoagulation therapy

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Redness, swelling, pain, or discharge around an incision site
• Uncontrolled pain or pain that is progressively getting worse
• Sudden back pain
• Opioid withdrawal symptoms: rapid breathing, perspiration, runny nose, agitation, increased heart rate, fever, tremors, muscle twitching, aching muscles, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Loss of bowel or bladder function
• Headache lasting longer than 48 hours
• Beeping noises from pump
• Sudden onset of leg weakness and spasm
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.