Learn about Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) Therapy is a specialized treatment for severe, chronic spasticity that is not adequately controlled by oral medications. Performed by a neurologist, this procedure involves the surgical implantation of a programmable pump in the abdomen, which delivers a precise, continuous dose of the muscle relaxant baclofen directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord (the intrathecal space). This targeted delivery allows for much higher concentrations at the site of action with significantly lower systemic side effects compared to oral baclofen. ITB therapy is a life-changing intervention for patients with conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or stroke, offering dramatic relief from painful muscle stiffness, spasms, and rigidity, thereby improving mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Key Highlights

    Delivers medication directly to the spinal fluid for maximum effect at the source of spasticity.Uses significantly lower drug doses than oral medication, reducing systemic side effects like drowsiness and weakness.Features a programmable, refillable pump allowing for precise, adjustable dosing tailored to the patient's needs.Provides continuous, 24/7 relief from severe muscle stiffness, spasms, and pain.Can dramatically improve functional abilities, ease of care, posture, and overall quality of life.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Severe spasticity from cerebral palsy (especially in children and adults).
  • Spasticity related to multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating diseases.
  • Spasticity resulting from spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury.
  • Post-stroke spasticity that is debilitating and unresponsive to other treatments.
  • Intractable spasticity causing pain, contractures, or interfering with hygiene, seating, or sleep.
  • Patients who experience intolerable side effects from high doses of oral anti-spasticity medications.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive neurological evaluation and confirmation of diagnosis by a neurologist.
  • A screening trial involving a single intrathecal baclofen injection via lumbar puncture to assess positive response.
  • Pre-operative medical clearance, which may include blood tests, ECG, and imaging.
  • Discussion of goals, expectations, and commitment to long-term pump management with the medical team.
  • Informing the doctor of all current medications, allergies, and medical history.
  • Fasting for 6-8 hours prior to the scheduled surgery as instructed.

Risks & possible complications

  • Surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, or reaction to anesthesia.
  • Pump or catheter-related issues: Mechanical failure, kinking, blockage, dislodgement, or infection.
  • Medication-related complications: Overdose (leading to drowsiness, respiratory depression) or underdose/withdrawal (causing severe rebound spasticity, fever, hallucinations).
  • Potential for meningitis or spinal headache.
  • Rare complications like paralysis or nerve damage.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Initial hospital stay for monitoring of pump function and surgical site.
  • Incision care instructions to keep the area clean and dry until healed.
  • Gradual titration of the baclofen dose by the neurologist via external programmer over days to weeks.
  • Education on recognizing signs of overdose or withdrawal and knowing emergency procedures.
  • Scheduled follow-up appointments for wound checks, pump refills (every 1-6 months), and dose adjustments.
  • Avoidance of strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and twisting at the waist for several weeks post-surgery.
  • Carrying an implant identification card at all times.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 3-5 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 4-6 weeks for full surgical recovery; dose optimization continues for several months

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering intrathecal baclofen therapy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for intrathecal baclofen therapy compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 9,245 – USD 19,578 3-5 days ~ 4-6 weeks for full surgical recovery; dose optimization continues for several months Know More
Turkey USD 68,446 – USD 144,945 3-5 days ~ 4-6 weeks for full surgical recovery; dose optimization continues for several months Know More

Top hospitals for Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing intrathecal baclofen therapy.

Manipal Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon60 Doctors

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon141 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Rangapani

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon13 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
  • Icon79 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Patiala

  • IconPatiala, India
  • Icon52 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Vijayawada

  • Iconvijayawada, India
  • Icon21 Doctors

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
  • Icon38 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Jayanagar

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon57 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
  • Icon41 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Jaipur

  • IconJaipur, India
  • Icon55 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors

Medanta The Medicity

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon900 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

Had my gallbladder out last week....

Had my gallbladder out last week. The surgery itself was fine, but the first two days after were rough. Dr. Madhumitha was really on top of my pain meds, adjusting them a few times until it was manageable. She checked on me every morning and evening at MGM, which helped a lot. I'm home now and the recovery is going okay, just taking it slow.

Neurologists for Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Explore experienced neurologists who regularly perform intrathecal baclofen therapy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Bindu Thankappan
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ak Roy
  • 47 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Uday Murgod
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vivek Iyer
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rithesh R Nair
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Laxmidhar Parhi
  • 27 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Pradyut Ranjan Bhuyan
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Lakshmi Priya Inapakolla
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital Vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Aakash Agrawal
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Krishnaveni Vanapala
  • 6 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital Vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Nareddy Sandeep Reddy
  • 4 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Kamlesh M Chawda
  • 33 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Apurva Nagesh Sharma
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Dr M. Lakshmi Lavanya
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shishir Pandey
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sushil Razdan
  • 42 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Arun Garg
  • 37 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Jay Dip Ray Chaudhuri
  • 33 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Jyoti Sehgal
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Saurabh Mehrotra
  • 22 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
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