Intrathecal baclofen and morphine in multiple sclerosis patients with severe pain and spasticity

Spasticity and pain are common features of multiple sclerosis (MS) [6]. Because pain may be relieved by anti-spasticity measures, treatment of spasticity should precede specific pain management. About 20 % of MS patients are either intolerant to oral medications or continue to have significant spasticity despite maximal oral dosage. These patients are optimally managed with continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion (ITB) administered via a surgically implanted programmable pump, a FDA-approved treatment modality [7, 8]. For patients with pain associated with spasticity, ITB therapy usually provides adequate relief of both symptoms.

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