Claims in the Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuit

Shoulder pain pumps are small catheters that are inserted into the shoulder after surgery as part of a pain-management program. The pumps are designed to deliver anesthetic medications directly into the shoulder joint to prevent pain. However, some patients report that they have experienced significant cartilage loss in the shoulder joint after having shoulder pumps inserted.

Shoulder Pain Pumps and Loss of Cartilage

Use of shoulder pain pumps has been linked to permanent cartilage damage in the shoulder joint. Experts believe that the constant anesthetic injections kill the cartilage cells, progressively eroding the connective tissue in the shoulder. This steady deterioration of cartilage in the shoulder joint is known as postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, or PAGCL. The condition is painful, irreversible, and can result in additional medical expenses and loss of wages.

Standard protocol dictates that a shoulder pain pump be placed outside the joint in the muscle tissue. However, many surgeons have placed the pain pump directly in the joint. A 2006 study by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and an October 2007 study by the American Journal of Sports Medicine both demonstrate an association between intra-articular placement (directly in the joint) of the catheter and patients who develop cartilage problems.

Symptoms of PAGCL

The symptoms of PAGCL can vary. Some patients experience chronic shoulder pain whether they are at rest or in motion. Others hear a clicking, grinding, or popping noise in the affected shoulder. Other signs of PAGCL include stiffness or weakness in the affected shoulder and a decreased range of motion. If you have had a shoulder pump placed and experience any symptoms associated with PAGCL, you should consult a physician immediately.

Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuits

Recent lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of shoulder pumps allege that the product labels did not provide sufficient warnings to medical professionals about the potential dangers and proper placement of the pumps. Further, attorney and consumer advocates claim that the manufacturers of shoulder pain pumps failed to conduct any studies to determine if the pumps are safe to use near cartilage, nor did they take into account previous studies that demonstrated the dangerous effect anesthetic drugs can have on cartilage.

More Information about Shoulder Pumps

Consult a Lawyer

If you or someone you care about has been harmed as a result of a shoulder pain pump, it is important to contact a product liability lawyer about the details of your case. A defective products lawyer will have the experience necessary to obtain just compensation on your behalf.