Baclofen Spasticity

What Is a Baclofen Pump?

The Medtronic baclofen pump or ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy) is a treatment that may relieve some of the symptoms of your severe spasticity. Since 1992, more than 50,000 people worldwide have chosen a Medtronic baclofen pump to manage their severe spasticity related to a variety of conditions.

Depending on your specific condition, a baclofen pump may impact your severe spasticity in different ways. Treatment may be even more effective when used in combination with physical, occupational, or speech therapy.

See pump placement in body

How a Baclofen Pump Treats Severe Spasticity Caused by Spinal Cord Injury or Spinal Cord Disease

ITB Therapy uses a surgically implanted programmable pump and catheter that delivers medication which helps relieve severe spasticity caused by spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease. This medication is a liquid form of baclofen called Lioresal® Intrathecal (baclofen injection), that goes directly into the intrathecal space where fluid flows around the spinal cord.

Because Lioresal Intrathecal is delivered directly to where it’s needed most in the spinal fluid, it relieves spasticity with smaller amounts of medication than when baclofen is taken orally. This method of delivery may help minimize side effects that can result from oral baclofen.

Therapy Components

The ITB Therapy system consists of:

• Pump – a surgically placed, battery-powered programmable pump with a reservoir infuses the drug at a programmed rate via the catheter
• Catheter – a flexible silicone tube delivers medication from the pump to your body
• Lioresal Intrathecal – a liquid form of the medication baclofen