The operation is done under general anesthesia. A small tube is placed intrathecally in the lumbar region which is then tunneled under the skin to a pump buried in the superficial abdominal fat. The pump is approximately the size of a hockey puck and will need to be refilled every 3 months depending on your required dosage. The delivery rate of the baclofen can be adjusted to your individual needs with the use of a computerized device. You should expect to stay 1-2 nights in the hospital after the procedure.
Spasticity is generally a life-long illness.
It is not uncommon for you to require increasing doses of your medications with time as you develop a tolerance to the drugs. Follow your doctor s recommendations. Take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Remember to perform daily stretching and range of motion exercises. Unfortunately, spasticity is often caused by processes that we have little or no control over such as multiple sclerosis, trauma, and cerebral palsy.