Cartilage loss after shoulder arthroscopy linked to use of pain pump
Shoulder arthroscopy is generally considered a surgery without a substantial risk of complications, especially when compared with open surgery. However, some people have suffered severe shoulder cartilage loss following the use of a pain pumps designed to infuse medication during the days after the arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals who are pursuing a shoulder arthroscopy pump lawsuit against the manufacturers of these devices for failing to warn about the risk of this debilitating and painful complication.
In recent years, some doctors have elected to prescribe a shoulder pain pump as an alternative to narcotic pain medications. A disposable pump and catheter are put in place to deliver medication directly to the surgical site for a few days after shoulder arthroscopy. However, the manufacturers of the shoulder pain pumps failed to warn that they could lead to the development of glenohumeral chondrolysis, which is a severe and life-altering problem.
Also known as PAGCL, glenohumeral chondrolysis involves progressive shoulder cartilage loss. This causes severe pain and loss of motion which begin to appear during the months after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Cartilage loss symptoms could include:
- Shoulder pain
- Clicking, Popping or Grinding
- Stiffness or Weakness
- Decreased Range of Motion
A chondrolysis diagnosis may be made after xrays reveal concentric, global glenohumeral cartilage loss, with bone on bone contact between the humeral head and glenoid. There is no cure for the post-shoulder arthroscopy cartilage loss, and the damage can not be reversed. Treatments such as activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy may be recommended, but are often not successful in relieving the severe pain and limitations caused by the condition. In most cases, chondrolysis leads to a shoulder arthroplasty, or total shoulder replacement surgery.
SHOULDER CARTILAGE LOSS LAWSUITS
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential shoulder arthroscopy pump lawsuits for cartilage loss. If you, a friend or family member have experienced problems after the use of a shoulder pain pump, financial compensation may be available. There are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. Request a free shoulder pain pump claim evaluation.
7 Comments • Add Your Comments
Robert says:
I had right shoulder arthroscopy performed by a surgeon from the Jewett Clinic in Winter Park, FL on September 18, 2007 which included a pain pump. To date I am still in pain and have other symptoms similier to those in your article.
Posted on July 15, 2008 at 8:32 am
aimee says:
wow same here i had it done twice and just had an MRI done becasue iam in so much pain rght now on my right shoulder..I have so much pain there still and i had it done in 03 and 04 The MRI showed no tear in the legimate. So I say what is causing the pain still????
Posted on August 15, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Leslie says:
I too had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in 2004 and I’m in so much pain now it’s crazy! I’ve been to about 3-4 doctors, neurosurgeon, vascular surgeon, but no doctor can seem to find anything wrong with it! There has to be something wrong or it wouldn’t hurt so bad! I did have a nerve block after surgery, but I do not think that’s the cause of my pain.
Posted on December 11, 2008 at 11:56 pm
moran says:
My father was a very active dad, grandfather and husband! Ever sence he had two right shoulder surgery in both cases the pump was used he has been in so much pain. I would really like to have my father back to the way he used to be but after reading this article i now feel that he will never be the same. Can anyone really help fight these company and fight for what these patients have lost ???????????
Posted on June 10, 2009 at 11:24 am
Debbie says:
I have had 4 rotor cuff surgeries. 03-06-07-10.Same shoulder( R) Three of them I had a pain pump. I have 3 anckers put in. 71 weeks of therpy. Still in servre pain. I wish doc. would just cut off my arm!!! I am so tried of this pain. I can NOT even hold my Grandbaby,do flowers,crafts,housework, WORK anymore!!!!!!! I wish we could fight these companies that say the papin pump helps!!!!! Ya it works my shoulder and arm is still numb. I have to be on all kind of meds. to make it thru the day or even to sleep !!!!!!!
Posted on April 25, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Andrew says:
I had left shoulder surgery in Dec 07, have problems then and still to this day. MRI, EMG’s. No one can tell me why, I’m having everything that the problems are on that list. Doctor’s are telling I have to live with this pain. With this pain, you find out that you start to use different parts of your body to take the pressure off of the shoulder, and now having problems with other shoulder, wrist, and neck.
Posted on May 3, 2010 at 4:12 am
Amanda says:
I had this surgery in March of 2007. About 8 months after, I started having severe pain in my left shoulder. Had many MRIs, and no one seems to know why I still have pain. I had the pain pump placed in that space they say causes cartilage damage, and every doc says its impengment syndrome….now next week i get another surgery because the new doc says the old doc messed up my shoulder….great huh?? I still think the pain pump has a lot to do with the amount of pain I am in…anyone else get nerve damage due to this??
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:26 am