Shoulder Pain Pump

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Shoulder Pain Pump Side Effects

Pain management following arthroscopic shoulder surgery using a pump to continuously deliver an anesthetic to the shoulder has worked well in many cases. Sometimes, however, patients experience side effects so damaging, further surgery or joint replacement is required. Patients have complained of such side effects following the use of an infusion pain pump to continuously deliver the anesthetics into the shoulder joint after arthroscopic surgery.

Common side effects include:

Shoulder stiffness
Loss of range of motion
Weakness in the shoulder

Use of the shoulder pain pump reduces pain but may seriously damage the cartilage in the shoulder joint, as reported in the June 2008 issue of AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons). The job of cartilage is to be a cushion, enabling the shoulder to move and keep the bones from rubbing together, causing damage and pain.

The article pointed out that recent studies have clearly shown the “toxic effects of local anesthetics, in particular bupivacaine,” on bovine (from a cow) cartilage cells (chondrocytes) in culture. Ninety-nine percent of the bovine cartilage cells died after being exposed for 15 minutes to a 0.5 percent solution of bupivacaine. The results for cultured human chondrocytes were similar.

A less potent solution of the anesthetic bupivacaine had no toxic effect on bovine or human cells in culture.

How the Shoulder Pain Pump Works

To aid in pain management, pain medication is delivered by the pump directly into the shoulder joint. These anesthetics include:

Ropivacaine
Bupivacaine
Procaine
Chloroprocaine
Lidocaine
Mepivacaine

Shoulder Pain Pump Side Effect: PAGCL

Destruction of the shoulder cartilage by using an infusion pump after arthroscopic surgery is called postarthroscopic glenohumeral (shoulder) chondrolysis (PAGCL). Chondrolysis refers to the destruction and death of cartilage cells.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings that using the shoulder pain pump is not FDA-approved to deliver anesthetics continuously into the shoulder joint. Physicians who decide to use the pump in these circumstances are using the procedure “off label.”

Shoulder Pain Pump: PAGCL Lawsuits

As PAGCL becomes a recognized condition and the number of patients suffering comes to light and increases, patients are filing lawsuits against the device manufacturers, the makers of the anesthetics, and health care providers.

In June 2008, when the AAOS Now article came out, 30 shoulder pain pump lawsuits had been filed against 28 manufactures and health care providers.

Talk to a Lawyer About Your Injury

If you or someone you love has experienced PAGCL, we encourage you to contact one of our lawyers specializing in these cases. You are entitled to compensation for the pain, suffering and expense of your condition.

PAGCL patients often have to undergo further arthroscopic surgery, or a shoulder replacement, or endure life-long pain. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options. You may reach our PAGCL lawyers by calling toll free (800) 730-0344 or by sending us an email.

Product Liability Breaking News

"Shoulder Pain Pump Does More Harm Than Good"

According to recent reports, patients who had surgery for dislocated shoulders are saying the product they used to control the pain caused more harm than good.

Many patients have reported that in trying to ease their pain us...

» Read More

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