Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What is a continuous infusion pain pump? —
This is a device to help control pain at home after surgery. Some pain pumps look like a round elastic ball or like a TV remote. Others have a small balloon-like area inside an outer case. The pain pump is carried in a small case.
The doctor places a thin tube, or "catheter," under the skin near where the surgery was done. The catheter is connected to the pain pump tubing. The pump is filled with or connected to a bag of pain medicines that help numb the nerves in the area. This helps reduce pain. The medicines in the pump are "local anesthetics." They are like the medicine the dentist uses to numb an area of the mouth. They are not opioids.
The doctor will choose the amount and kind of medicine for the pain pump. Most pumps give the medicine continuously over a few days. The ball or balloon part of the pump slowly gets smaller over time as it gives the pain medicine.
What happens while the pain pump is in place?
●The area might feel numb, tingly, heavy, weak, or like it is asleep.
●The pump might not take away all of your pain. You might still need other medicines to help with pain.
●Depending on where your pain pump is, you might notice these things:
•After leg surgery, you might have trouble walking. This increases your risk of falling. Have someone help you walk or use a walker or crutches to stay safe.
•After arm or shoulder surgery, you might need to use a sling to support your arm.
•After shoulder surgery, you might notice a hoarse voice, droopy eyelids, blurry vision, and uneven pupils. You might also feel short of breath when lying down. These side effects depend on where the catheter is placed. They should go away after the pump is removed.
How do I care for the pain pump? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand. Be sure that you have a phone number for who to contact if you have any problems.
While you have the pain pump in place:
●Keep the area where the catheter enters your body clean and dry. Cover the pump and tubing with plastic wrap when you shower or take a sponge bath.
●Check the skin around the catheter each day. Look for redness, pain, swelling, or bleeding. A small amount of clear or reddish drainage is normal. Do not take the dressing off. Dry the area with a clean towel, and call the doctor. They might want you to clamp the tubing for a short time.
●Make sure that the clamp is open and the tubing is free of kinks.
●Wear the pouch to hold the pump in place.
●Do not squeeze the pump.
What happens when the pain pump is empty? —
The ball or balloon will be hard and flat. You might feel a tube in the middle of the ball or balloon. Most often, all of the medicine is used within a few days. You might go to the doctor to have the catheter taken out. Or the doctor might have you remove it yourself.
To remove the catheter:
●Wash your hands.
●Remove the clear dressing by carefully peeling it back from the edges.
●Loosen the small strips of tape over the catheter.
●Hold the catheter close to the skin. Gently use a steady pulling motion to take it out.
•The catheter should come out easily. Stop and call your doctor if it becomes hard to remove or starts to stretch. Do not cut the catheter.
•The end of the catheter will have a colored tip. This lets you know that you have removed the whole catheter. If it does not have this colored tip, call your doctor right away.
●Hold pressure on the site with gauze or a clean cloth for a few minutes. This helps stop any bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop after a few minutes, call your doctor.
●Place a small bandage over the site where the catheter entered your skin.
●Throw away the catheter. Some pain pumps can also be thrown away. Others need to be returned.
●Wash your hands.
What else should I know?
●Be careful not to hurt or burn the numb area when the pump is in use.
●When the pump is empty, it is normal to have a bit more pain as the numbness goes away.
●You cannot see the medicine in the pump or in the tubing.
●Do not drive while using a pain pump or taking opioid medicines.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
●You have a seizure.
●You pass out.
●You have chest pain.
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You have trouble breathing.
●You have redness, pain, bleeding, or swelling around the tubing or your incision.
●The catheter gets disconnected from the pump or comes out too soon, or you have a lot of fluid leaking from where the tubing goes into your skin.
●You have symptoms from too much medicine. This is rare. Symptoms might include slurred speech, ringing in your ears, a metallic taste, confusion, or feeling too sleepy.
