Donjoy Inc., a global medical technology firm headquartered in Vista California, is one of several companies that manufacture pain pumps – infusion devices that deliver controlled amounts of local anesthetics to patients in order to manage their pain after surgery. However, several studies have shown that pain pumps may cause a painful condition known as PAGCL (Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis) – which can lead to a lifetime of suffering.

A closer look at Donjoy’s pain pumps

Donjoy markets two pain pumps, the Accufuser Plus and the Donjoy Pain Control Device. According to the company’s website (www.donjoy.com), the pain pumps provide continuous infusion of a local anesthetic directly to the surgical site alleviating moderate to severe pain patients experience following many operative procedures. Here’s a closer look at each product:

• Accufuser Plus: Latex free and safe for use with patients who have latex allergies. The delivery of medication is administered and regulated by an elastomeric reservoir located in the pump and a flow restrictor in the catheter, providing extremely consistent flow rates. The device allows for bolus (extra) medication to be delivered when needed.
• DonJoy Pain Control Device: Latex free and safe for use with patients who have latex allergies. The delivery of medication is administered and regulated by a spring mechanism located in with the pump and a flow restrictor in the catheter, providing extremely consistent flow rates.

Additional information on these products can be obtained on the company’s website or by contacting them at 1-800-336-5690.

PAGCL: What is it?

Two recent studies* have linked pain pumps to a serious condition known as PAGCL, or Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis. It is a painful condition caused by the deterioration of cartilage (a dense connective tissue that, among other things, allows movement in joints) around the shoulder area. Symptoms of PAGCL include:

• Shoulder pain whether in motion or at rest
• Shoulder stiffness or weakness
• Decreased range of motion
• Clicking, popping or grinding of the shoulder
• A narrowing of the joint space in the shoulder area

Patients have reported having to undergo painful surgery to reconstruct the shoulder. The surgery replaces the damaged shoulder joint with metal and plastic parts. Several lawsuits have been filed against pain pump manufacturers and legal analysts predict that others are likely to follow.

*1) October 2007 issue of American Journal of Sports Medicine in October 2007 (by Dr. Charles Beck); 2) 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

If you have developed PAGCL after using a pain pump, contact a qualified attorney whose practice focuses on pain pump issues. To contact an attorney for a free, no obligation consultation, please click here.