Nerve catheter infusions deliver numbing medicine to nerves that are sending pain signals to the brain. Usually temporary nerve catheters are only placed in hospitals. However, there is significant precedent for discharging patients with nerve catheters where they receive various levels of continued follow-up. These catheters usually stay in for no more than three to five days’ post-discharge and there has been no way to replace them in the outpatient arena – until now. Our office can continue to place and manage these catheters after patients leave the hospital.
Who should have a Nerve Catheter Infusion?
Patients who have had surgery and continue to have pain in the days following surgery benefit greatly from nerve catheters.
Patients who have CRPS can use sympathetic nerve catheters to help start otherwise painful rehabilitation to help reverse the complex processes that cause CRPS. This is a unique specialized treatment very few clinics can provide. Dr. Fisk is specialized in placement of nerve catheters and is an expert in management of CRPS.
How is this managed as an “in-home” protocol?
Patients are sent home with the nerve catheter in place. The nerve catheter is programmed to treat the particular type of pain that the patient has. Adjustments can be made to the pump that the nerve catheter and the patients continue to work closely with Acute Pain Therapies to make sure pain control is optimized while maintaining sufficient motor function to participate in physical therapy and activities of daily living.
