Broken catheter - pain pump - should displaced catheter be removed?
I had a pain pump implanted the end of October and a recent CT scan w/contrast has shown the catheter has fractured in the spine and a 2-3" section has slide down to the base of my spine. Is there any risk to leaving the section that has become displaced in my spine? The CT scan also showed a possible hernation of the disc at the L5-S1 level. I had this disc fused in 2005. I have definitely had increased pain the spine but I don't know if the pain could be from the displaced catheter or the disc. Thanks.
Linda, FL
No, not unless it is causing neurological issues, there is an increased risk of infection, or you are developing a CSF hygroma (a leakage of spinal fluid behind the spine through the catheter fragment causing a collection of fluid under the skin).
- Thank you for your input
- Ranked Helpful (3)
- Report Abuse
