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Pain pumps, devices designed to deliver controlled amounts of local anesthetics to post operative patients, may actually do more damage than help. In fact, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM), pain pumps are likely to cause permanent shoulder injuries.

Study’s findings

According to the study published in the AJSM’s October 2007 issue, pain pumps may actually deliver too much medication to the shoulder after surgery, permanently deteriorating and eventually destroying cartilage in that area. The condition, known as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, or PAGCL, is a painful condition that may become permanent and cause loss of mobility.

According to Dr. Charles Beck, an orthopedic surgeon and senior author of the study:

The findings demonstrate a strong association between the intra-articular (inside the joint space) use of high volume pain pumps following arthroscopic shoulder surgery and an otherwise unexplainable loss of hyaline cartilage in the shoulder joint. The complication, known as PAGCL, is permanent and can lead to extreme pain and lifelong suffering in 63 percent of the patients that use them. The medical records of numerous other patients suggest the complications may occur following open surgery as well.

Lawsuits

There have been countless lawsuits filed against the makers of pain pumps, such as Stryker, DJO Inc., I-Flow, BREG Inc. and several others. Dr. Charles Beck alleges that the manufacturers knew about the problem years ago, but did nothing. According to Beck:

These devices have been used on thousands of patients nationwide, and based on our findings; hundreds appear to be at risk for this complication which results in severe pain, debilitating stiffness and eventual joint replacement surgery for many of those affected. We sent the results of our study to the manufacturers more than two years ago, but their response has so far been minimal to non-existent. It is time to get the word out and stop these devices from ruining any more lives.

The lawsuits allege the pain pump manufacturers failed to instruct or warn the U.S. medical community that the safety of using the pain pumps in the shoulder joint had not been established and that the continuous injection of commonly used anesthetics by these devices may cause permanent injury.

Symptoms

According to reports, symptoms associated with PAGCL typically occur within three to 12 months after shoulder surgery and can include:

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

Additional information

If you’ve suffered an injury due to complications using a pain pump, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law. To contact an attorney near you, click here.