The use of intra-articular pumps, also known as pain pumps or pain balls, to deliver medication to the shoulder following arthroscopic shoulder surgery has been linked to the development of a painful and debilitating condition which causes the loss of cartilage in the shoulder. The condition, known as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis or PAGCL, has no consistently successful treatment and often results in permanent shoulder pain.
STATUS OF SHOULDER PAIN PUMP LITIGATION: Lawsuits are currently pending and potential cases are still being reviewed by product liability lawyers. Motions have been filed to consolidate all Federal shoulder pain pump lawsuits and transfer the cases to one court for pre-trial proceedings.
OVERVIEW: Various manufacturers sell disposable pain pumps which are used to deliver medications through a catheter for a few days after surgery. Although these medical devices have not been approved for intra-articular use following arthroscopic shoulder surgery, lawsuits allege that the manufacturers encouraged the use and misled doctors about the dangers the devices could pose.
The July 2007 issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM) contained a study which provides evidence linking the use of intra-articular shoulder pain pumps to the development of postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL), which is associated with the progressive destruction of cartilage.
SYMPTOMS OF SHOULDER PAIN PUMP PROBLEMS: Symptoms of PAGCL typically manifest 3 to 12 months following the arthroscopic shoulder surgery. As the shoulder is used more, the loss of cartilage causes new problems, which is usually more severe than the pain experienced before the surgery.
Symptoms could include:
* Shoulder pain whether in motion or at rest
* Clicking, Popping, Grinding
* Shoulder Stiffness or Weakness
* Decreased Range of Motion
If you or a family member has been injured because of the fault of someone else; by negligence, personal injury, slip and fall, car accident, medical malpractice, trucking accident, drunk driving, bad product, toxic injury etc then please contact the Fort Worth Texas Product Liability Attorney Dr. Shezad Malik. For a no obligation, free case analysis, please call 817-255-4001 or Contact Me Online.