Intraspinal drug delivery for chronic pain and spasticity: anatomic and physiologic considerations

The intraspinal approach for controlling pain and spasticity is a safe alternative for patients who failed other less invasive modalities. It is rapidly gaining popularity as a valuable tool for this subset of patients. The safety and availability of implantable devices has helped expand the use of this route. The success of this alternative treatment is highly dependent on the physician’s skills and knowledge of the functional anatomy of the spinal cord, its coverings and its supporting structures.