Pain Pump lawsuits are pending across the country against companies that manufacture, market or distribute the pain pumps. Many of the lawsuits are claiming that the manufacturers failed to warn or instruct the medical community about the safety of the pain pumps, or that the pain pumps may cause permanent injury. In some cases, the use of pain pumps or pain balls can result in a condition known as PAGCL (Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis). PAGCL is characterized by the deterioration of the shoulder cartilage, and can result in a total shoulder replacement.



What is a shoulder pain pump?

A shoulder pain pump is an intra-articular pain pump that is implanted into the shoulder of a patient during arthroscopic shoulder surgery and its purpose is postoperative pain management. The pump is a flexible plastic catheter that typically contains Marcaine (Bupivacaine) or Xylocaine (Lidocaine) and may contain Epinephrine. It delivers the pain medication directly to the joint or in close proximity to the surgical site for up to three days, and it can be removed by the patient when the pump is no longer needed.

Doesn't arthroscopic surgery come with risks?

Every surgery comes with some degree of risk, but arthroscopic surgery is generally considered to be a relatively safe procedure. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure orthopedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. In an arthroscopic examination, the surgeon makes a small incision in the patient's skin and then inserts pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. The arthroscope is attached to a miniature television camera, allowing the surgeon to see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than a large incision needed for surgery. The television camera displays the image of the joint, allowing the surgeon to see the cartilage, ligaments, and other parts of the joint. The surgeon can then determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the problem, if necessary.

The obvious advantage of arthroscopy over traditional open surgery is that the joint does not have to be opened up. Instead, only two small incisions are made for the arthroscope itself and for the necessary surgical instruments. Because it is less invasive, arthroscopy should carry less risk, involve less pain and reduce recovery time.

What is PAGCL?

A recent study by the American Journal of Sports Medicine (July 2007) suggests that the pumps may deliver too much medicine, causing a serious condition known as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). PAGCL is characterized by a degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint, causing a substantial reduction in the shoulder's range of motions. PAGCL patients experience severe pain or tenderness in the shoulder area, shoulder stiffness or weakness, or a grinding or popping sensation in the shoulder joint. These side effects typically do not appear immediately but rather appear months after surgery when the patient should be completely healed.

PAGCL can be extremely painful and permanent. There is no known cure or effective treatment. Some patients may be able to control their pain and other symptoms with analgesics and/or other drugs such as anti-inflammatory medicines, but they may have to take these medications indefinitely. If pain medication is not sufficient to help a PAGCL sufferer, a replacement of the entire shoulder joint may be necessary.

Pain Pump Lawsuit and Pain Ball Lawsuit

If you are about to undergo shoulder surgery, it is important to understand the risks associated with pain pumps and discuss these with your doctor.

If you or a loved one has suffered from shoulder pain pumps or pain balls after arthroscopic surgery, you may have a claim. You should contact a pain pump lawsuit attorney to evaluate whether or not you have a case. These attorneys provide a free, no obligation consultation. They typically take the cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't have to pay any money up front.