Shoulder cartilage damage after arthroscopic surgery
Pain pumps used after arthroscopic surgery have been linked to permanent shoulder cartilage damage. The pumps which deliver pain medication directly to the surgical site, have been associated with the development of a rare condition known as postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL), which results in the permanent deterioration of cartilage and often requires a shoulder joint replacement.
>>INFORMATION: PAGCL Cartilage Damage
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. A camera and tools are inserted through a small incision in the skin, allowing doctors to perform the surgery with less risk of complications and a quicker recovery time for the patient.
To help manage pain which follows arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder, some doctors insert catheters into the joint to deliver pain medication directly to the surgical site instead of prescribing oral drugs. For about three days following surgery the pain medication is delivered through a disposable infusion pump, made by companies such as Stryker, I Flow, DJO Inc. and Breg Inc.
Over the past few years, concerns have grown among physicians as they noticed an increasing number of patients develop a horrible shoulder complication after they were given a pain pump. Symptoms of new pain caused by shoulder cartilage loss could become noticeable between 3 and 12 months after use of a pain pump, as problems become noticable as shoulder activity is increased.
A study published in the October 2007 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM) found that 64% of patients who used one of the pain pumps after arthroscopic surgery developed the shoulder cartilage loss associated with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL). The data was so convincing that the authors have asked their colleges to immediately stop using the shoulder pumps to manager pain after arthorscopic surgery.
SHOULDER CARTILAGE DAMAGE LAWSUITS
For hundreds of people throughout the United States, what was supposed to be a routine outpatient surgery has become a much more devastating shoulder problem. The cartilage damage could forever change the lives of people who were given one of the pain pumps, and the manufacturers failed to provide warnings about this possible side effect from the use of their pain pumps.
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential shoulder surgery pain pump lawsuits nationwide for individuals who have developed problems following arthroscopic surgery. If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with cartilage loss or experienced new pain associated with grinding, popping or clicking of the shoulder after use of a pain pump, request a free claim evaluation.
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