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THE SIMPLE FACTSTM...Shoulder Pain Pumps - intra-articular pain pump catheters - are temporarily implanted in the shoulder during shoulder surgery and have been linked to a serious injury know as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). PAGCL is the deterioration of cartilage in the shoulder following surgery.
During shoulder surgery an intra-articular pain pump catheter may be placed into the shoulder joint and remains in the joint for several days to deliver pain medication to the shoulder. PAGCL is an extremely painful and life-altering condition. Symptoms of PAGCL may include:
- pain at the shoulder when it is in motion or at rest
- increased shoulder stiffness
- popping or grinding when the shoulder is in motion
- decrease in range of motion
- a loss of strength in the joint.
PAGCL is usually diagnosed with an x-ray or mri showing the narrowing of the shoulder joint space. Treatment for this condition is further surgery. Unfortunately, the shoulder may never fully recover.
A couple of studies - a 2006 paper presented at an American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons meeting and another published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine - show evidence that the use of intra-articular pain pumps could be responsible for this painful condition when used to deliver a combination of painkillers - bupivacaine and epinenphrine - directly into the shoulder joint.
Some of the devices involved may include those manufactured by Stryker Co., DJO Inc., I-Flow Co., BREG Inc. and several others. Most commonly used may include:
- Donjoy® Pain Control Device
- Accufuser® Plus Pain Pump
Quite frankly, the simple factsTM about shoulder pain pumps used during shoulder surgery and the possible injuries - Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL) - that may be caused by using a shoulder pain pump is unacceptable.
We are here to help you protect your legal rights and the legal rights of your loved ones.
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