I developed worsening neck and shoulder pain 15 years after C5-T1 decompression and fusion. After all alternatives were tried I ended up with a Medtronic intrathecal catheter for opioids and baclofen. Because the put the catheter low in the back and my pain was in my neck, they pushed the catheter up as far as possible. I think they got to T4.

At first I did rather well with this therapy but then developed low back pain due to arachnoiditis, inflammation of the membrane around the spine. I had the device removed but arachnoiditis is permanent. If you are offered an intrathecal pump, make sure to research it thoroughly and ask lots of questions.