Shoulder Pain Pumps (or pain balls) were designed to help alleviate pain after shoulder surgery. By using a pain pump, a doctor is able to inject a continuous stream of pain killers into the shoulder to help manage pain and suffering. Problems began when doctors started placing the pumps directly into the shoulder joint, instead of the tissue surrounding it. This technique is called an intra articular placement. This intra articular placement actually destroys shoulder cartilage because the medicine in the pump is toxic to the joint. Once shoulder cartilage is damaged, it never grows back, leaving the patient with a permanent injury and severe pain. Many are upset with their doctors, but that anger is often misplaced because the doctors didn’t know that these pumps were causing problems. There wasn’t a lot scientific literature warning of a problem. But in 2007 a study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine finally suggested that pain medicine pumps used after shoulder surgery may deliver too much medicine to the surgical site, causing a serious damge to the shoulder cartilage. This is called Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). Cartilage is a lot like a shock absorber. When you move your arm, the humeras moves against the scapula. As long as the upper arm can slide against the shoulder there isn’t a problem. But when you lose cartilage, you are losing the cushion that allows your bones to move smoothly against each other, and the whole mechanism falls apart. The result is lots of pain, and lots of restriction in arm movement. Symptoms of PAGCL include chronic pain, loss of range of motion, stiffness and weakness. The side effects can take several months to appear after the surgery. PAGCL is a very serious condition, it results in the loss of shoulder cartilage. Once the cartilage is gone, it does not grow back. Cardinal Health issued a recall for the Alaris Infusion Pump model 8100 (also known as the Medley Pump). These devices were used to deliver controlled amounts of medication. The recall applies to devices shipped before September 27, 2007. The recall applies to over 200,000 devices worldwide. The FDA has classified the action as a Class 1 recall, as the use of these pumps involves a reasonable probability of serious injury or death. I have been diagnosed with PAGCL and my doctor has told me I need shoulder replacement surgery. What does that procedure involve? Shoulder replacement surgery is similar to other surgeries, and carries the same risks. You will likely receive a sedative and an anesthesiologist will administer an anesthetic. The surgical team makes an incision into the shoulder, pulls the arm bone out of the socket, and removes the ball shaped end of the upper arm. The top of the arm bone is hollowed out with a high speed drill, and an artificial ball joint is slid into the top of the arm bone. The surface of the shoulder socket will be smoothed out, and an artificial lining secured in place. Shoulder Replacement Surgery can be very expensive. What Should I Do? If you are contemplating shoulder surgery, you need to be aware of these potential risks associated with these pain pumps and should discuss your concerns with your doctor before undergoing the procedure. If you have already had surgery, used a pain pump and are suffering from shoulder pain, popping and clicking, or decreased range of motion, you may have a legal claim. You should contact an attorney as soon as possible because you don’t want to run into any statute of limitations problems (statute of limitations are time limits for filing your case). These cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no legal fees for you unless you make a recovery. Keep in mind that each state has a different set of guidelines which determine how long you have to file. Some of these factors can include: the state where the injury occurred, the type of injury sustained, the state where the lawsuit is filed, and the age of the person bringing the lawsuit. Remember, every state is different. If Pain Pump or PAGCL lawsuits are not filed before the statutory deadline you may lose the right to bring a lawsuit or legal claim altogether. This article should not be construed as medical or legal advice.
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Shoulder Pain Pumps (or pain balls) were designed to help alleviate pain after shoulder surgery. By using a pain pump, a doctor is able to inject a continuous stream of pain killers into the shoulder to help manage pain and suffering. Problems began when doctors started placing the pumps directly into the shoulder joint, instead of the tissue surrounding it. This technique is called an intra articular placement. This intra articular placement actually destroys shoulder cartilage because the ...
Monty Wrobleski is author of this article on Pain Pump Attorney. Find more information about Shoulder Joint Replacement here.
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