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Manufacturers of pain pumps, devices designed to deliver controlled amounts of local anesthetics to post operative patients, have failed to act responsibly according to Ted Meadows, an Alabama attorney who has been following the controversy for several years. In a recent interview, Meadows told us that manufacturers have known about the relationship between pain pumps and a painful condition known as PAGCL, but have done little to warn consumers.

Studies show relationship Several studies, including two from the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, have reported that using pain pumps ) after shoulder surgery may have a direct relationship to the condition known as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). However, pain pump manufacturers, such as Stryker, DJO Inc., I-Flow and BREG Inc., haven’t conducted many studies of their own – at least which have been made public. Meadows told us:

I am not aware of manufacturer studies, which is quite unusual and striking to me because you would think that, at a minimum, the companies that sell these devices would have conducted some studies. However, we’re just not seeing that.

We may find out additional information after we get our hands on some documents [pursuant to ongoing litigation]. The companies are trying to keep us from getting our hands on these, but maybe that will point us to information we just haven’t been able to find in the public source. I can tell you that we haven’t found anything because we haven’t been looking - because we certainly have been.

Only one manufacturer has posted ‘warning’

I-Flow seems to be the only company who has posted information about the problems with pain pumps and Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL) on their website. We asked Meadows whether he knows of other manufacturers who have done the same. He responded:

I-Flow is the only one that I know of so far that’s posted anything about a relationship between pain pumps and chondrolysis. However, even their bulletin downplays it and points at a list of other potential causes. Stryker doesn’t seem to have written or posted anything on the topic. I don’t know what they’re telling doctors at this point, but we’ve not seen anything – and that’s quite disturbing.

From what we can tell, doctors and orthopedic surgeons around the country are continuing to use this pain pump and pointing the catheter into the joint space. They’re shocked when we show them the studies and share what we have learned

It’s really amazing to me that these companies haven’t sent a letter to doctors to let them know that certain dangers have become known. You would think that with the studies that have come out that they would notify the doctors.

PAGCL can be debilitating – and permanent

PAGCL typically occurs within three to 12 months after shoulder surgery and can be a debilitating condition. Symptoms may include shoulder pain whether in motion or at rest; clicking, popping or grinding of the shoulder; shoulder stiffness or weakness and decreased range of motion. The condition may become permanent and cause loss of mobility.

If you have experienced any of these conditions after using a pain pump, contact an attorney to discuss your situation. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified attorney whose practice focuses in this area of law, please click here.