Shoulder Pain Pump Chondrolysis Lawsuits: MDL Petition Denied

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted August 18, 2008

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The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has denied a motion to consolidate all shoulder pain pump chondrolysis lawsuits that have been filed in federal court. Therefore, the pain pump litigation will not be centralized and lawsuits that have been filed by individuals diagnosed with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis will have their cases remain in the jurisdiction where they were filed.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. currently represent a number of clients who are pursuing shoulder pain pump lawsuits after developing the debilitating loss of shoulder cartilage known as chondrolysis. Studies have linked the intra-articular use of pain pumps, which deliver medication directly into the shoulder after surgery, to the painful and irreversible cartilage damage.

A number of shoulder pain pump chondrolysis lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States against the makers of these pain pumps, also known as shoulder pain balls, as well as against various manufacturers of different anesthetic drugs.

A petition was previously filed to consolidate all of the federal shoulder pump cases under a procedure known as an MDL, or Multidistrict Litigation. This would have allowed all cases to be centralized before one judge for pretrial proceedings to eliminate duplicative discovery, avoid inconsistent pretrial rulings and to promote judicial economy. If the cases had not resolved during pretrial proceedings, they then would have been remanded back to the original courts where they were filed for trials.

After a hearing last month in San Francisco, California, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ruled that the cases should not be consolidated. Although the cases all involved the common issue of whether shoulder pain pumps cause chondrolysis, the panel suggested that the cases involved too many different companies who made the pumps and anesthetic drugs to justify centralization.

SHOULDER PAIN PUMP CHONDROLYSIS LAWYERS

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to investigate new cases for individuals who received a shoulder pain pump or pain ball after arthroscopic surgery and subsequently developed chondrolysis or cartilage damage. Because this condition is rare, and many doctors are not familiar with the diagnosis, potential cases are also being investigated and reviewed for individuals who have developed a new onset of pain, popping, clicking and grinding during the months after shoulder surgery, as these could be signs of cartilage loss.

If you, a friend or family member have developed symptoms of chondrolysis after arthroscopic surgery, request a free lawsuit evaluation.

6 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • William says:

    My son had surgery on his shoulder with the use of a pain pump. Caused deteriation of cartlige and need 2nd surgery. He is now disabled any unable to work at his profession.

    Posted on September 10, 2008 at 12:51 pm

  • michael says:

    I had shoulder surgery also with use of pain pump 01-08-2007 which led to two more additional surgeries with loss of cartilage . I am now also disabled and cannot return to my profession.

    Posted on April 15, 2009 at 1:32 pm

  • Traci says:

    I had shoulder surgery in May of 2004 and was fitted with a pain pump. After months and months of PT and OT, I was sent to another orthopedic doctor. I had to have yet another shoulder surgery in April of 2008. This 2008 surgery did not include the use of a pain pump. I still have pain, popping and clicking, and loss of range of motion. I formerly worked as a nursing assitant for over 20 years. I now work in an office because I am not able to function at the level required to work in nursing any longer.

    Posted on April 16, 2009 at 9:33 pm

  • HANNIBAL says:

    I had shoulder surgery and had on the pump implanted on 12/14/2004. Since I’ve had to quit a few jobs because I wasn’t able to be productive. I’ve had clicking, popping, weakness, and a limited range of motion to this day in the same shoulder!

    Posted on May 2, 2009 at 11:57 pm

  • Darrell says:

    I had surgery on my right shoulder and it’s cracking, popping and hurting like crazy more now ! I can’t sleep through a whole night. Do to pain pump.

    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 6:06 pm

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