For many people living with chronic neurological or spinal conditions, muscle stiffness and spasms are more than just an inconvenience—they’re a constant, daily struggle. If you’ve ever tried to walk across a room only to have your legs tighten up unexpectedly, or struggled to get dressed because your arms won’t relax, you know just how exhausting spasticity can be. Even simple tasks—like sleeping comfortably, holding a utensil, or completing a physical therapy exercise—can feel impossible when your body won’t cooperate.
When nerve signals between the brain and muscles misfire, the muscles stay in a constant state of contraction. The result is pain, stiffness, and uncontrollable spasms that limit movement and independence.
Many patients try a range of treatments—oral medications, injections, or physical therapy—to manage these symptoms. While some find relief, others experience minimal improvement or unwanted side effects like fatigue, drowsiness, or weakness. It can feel discouraging to try treatment after treatment without real results.
That’s where modern, targeted solutions like the Baclofen Pump come in. For patients who have tried everything else, this innovative therapy offers a way to deliver precise, consistent relief right where it’s needed most—at the spinal cord level.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Snellville, we specialize in helping patients regain movement, control, and independence through the most effective, least invasive treatments available today. The Baclofen Pump is one of those life-changing options.
For patients whose spasticity hasn’t improved with medication or therapy, the Baclofen Pump offers a more precise and effective way to find lasting relief. Also known as Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (ITB), this advanced treatment uses a small, programmable medical device that delivers baclofen directly to the spinal fluid, where it can work exactly where it’s needed most.
The pump itself is about the size of a hockey puck and is implanted just under the skin of the abdomen during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. From there, it connects to a small, flexible catheter that runs to the spinal cord. This allows medication to flow directly into the intrathecal space—the fluid-filled area surrounding the spinal cord—bypassing the bloodstream entirely.
The Baclofen Pump is designed for continuous, 24/7 control of muscle spasticity. Here’s what makes it so effective:
Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation performed by one of our pain management or spine specialists. During this visit, we’ll review your medical history, current medications, and prior treatments to determine whether a Baclofen Pump could be right for you.
We’ll take time to discuss your symptoms, goals, and concerns in detail, so you fully understand your options. Every recommendation we make is based on your individual needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Before a permanent pump is implanted, you’ll undergo a simple trial procedure to ensure that intrathecal baclofen is effective for your body.
During the trial, a small amount of baclofen is delivered directly into your spinal fluid via a thin catheter or injection. This allows you—and your doctor—to see how well your symptoms respond.
Many patients notice results within hours: muscles that were tight begin to relax, spasms lessen, and movement becomes smoother. If the trial provides significant relief, it confirms that the therapy is a good fit, and the permanent pump implantation can be scheduled.
If your trial is successful, the next step is the minimally invasive implantation procedure. This outpatient surgery is typically performed under general or local anesthesia at one of Medici’s state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery centers.
During the procedure:
The entire process usually takes about one to two hours, and most patients return home the same day. Recovery is generally quick, and most people can resume light activities within a few days.
After implantation, your Medici care team will fine-tune your Baclofen Pump settings to ensure optimal comfort and control. The pump’s dosage can be adjusted externally using a specialized programmer, allowing your physician to personalize your therapy without additional surgery.
Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled for pump refills and maintenance—simple, in-office visits where your doctor replenishes the medication and ensures everything is functioning properly.
If you’ve been battling chronic muscle stiffness or spasms caused by a neurological condition, and traditional treatments just aren’t working, the Baclofen Pump could be the next step toward meaningful relief.
This therapy is specifically designed for patients with severe spasticity—tight, painful muscle contractions that interfere with daily movement and comfort. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Snellville, our specialists often recommend the Baclofen Pump for patients with:
While oral medications and physical therapy can help manage mild to moderate spasticity, some patients find that these approaches only go so far—or cause unpleasant side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or weakness.
Because the Baclofen Pump delivers medication directly to the spinal cord, it can more effectively calm the overactive nerves that cause muscle spasms. The result is smoother, more controlled movement throughout the day—without the roller coaster effect of oral medication doses wearing off.
By bypassing the digestive system, the pump requires much smaller doses of medication to achieve relief. This means patients typically experience fewer side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, or brain fog—allowing them to stay alert, active, and engaged in daily life.
When spastic muscles relax, movement becomes easier and more natural. Patients often find they can walk, stretch, and participate in physical therapy more effectively—making progress that once seemed impossible. Over time, this improved mobility helps strengthen the muscles that support healthy, functional movement.
Nighttime muscle spasms can make it hard to rest, leaving patients exhausted and in pain the next morning. With the Baclofen Pump’s consistent dosing, spasms are reduced even during sleep, allowing for deeper rest and better energy throughout the day.
Perhaps the most important benefit of all: the ability to return to activities that once felt out of reach. Whether it’s walking independently, dressing without assistance, or simply feeling comfortable sitting in a chair—patients often describe the Baclofen Pump as “getting their life back.”
Living with constant muscle stiffness or spasms can make every movement feel like a battle. But with the Baclofen Pump, many patients experience freedom from that daily struggle—relaxing tight muscles, improving mobility, and regaining the ability to move comfortably and confidently again.
If you’ve tried oral medications, injections, or therapy without success, you’re not out of options. The Baclofen Pump offers a lasting, targeted solution that can help you live without the limitations of spasticity.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we are dedicated to guiding you through every step of your journey—from evaluation and trial to implantation and follow-up—with expertise, empathy, and a focus on long-term success.
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🌐 Visit: www.mediciortho.com
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