Pain Management

At Stamford Hospital we believe in treating the whole patient rather than just the disease. For cancer patients, particularly those with spinal tumors, pain management can be a significant factor for improved quality of life.

The staff at Stamford Hospital are expert in various pain management prcedures including:

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are surgeries that relieve pain from compression fractures of the spine due tumors or other conditions. After surgery, you may not need strong pain relievers for these conditions and you may be able to move and walk better.

Vertebroplasty is used to relieve pain from spinal compression fractures. After giving a local anesthetic, the doctor inserts a needle into the person's vertebrae and injects a cementlike mixture into the crushed area.

Kyphoplasty can be used to restore the vertebrae to a more normal shape. The person is given either a local or general anesthetic, and then a small incision is made in the person's back. A balloon device is inserted into the fractured vertebrae and inflated. Subsequently, a cementlike material is injected into the space created by the balloon.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a medical therapy for people who suffer from chronic spinal related pain. SCS uses a small implanted device to generate tiny electrical pulses that replace the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation.

Morphine Pumps

Morphine pumps are used to control severe and chronic pain. A morphine pump is inserted under the skin in the flank area. A catheter runs from the pump to the spinal cord. The catheter delivers medication to the spinal cord. A benefit to the morphine pump is that much smaller dosages of morphine are needed.

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).