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Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuit

If you have been injured as a result of a shoulder pain pump product, you may be eligble for compensation and should contact an attorney who specializes in product liability litigation. Several lawsuits have been filed and are pending against those companies who have manufactured, marketd or distributed the shoulder pain pumps, including BREG Inc., DJO Inc., I-Flow Inc, Stryker and others. If you feel you may be affected by it, find a lawyer to discuss your legal options regarding a potential personal injury lawsuit and all surrounding circumstances to be sure your rights have been protected. A injury lawyer who specializes in your type of injury lawsuit will be the best legal option.

A recent study published in July of 2007 by The American Journal of Sports Medicine suggested that intra-articular pain pumps are the likely cause of a condition known as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). In addition, a 2006 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons paper showed that 12 out of 152 patients who underwent surgery developed PAGCL. Studies have shown that up to over 60% of arthroscopic shoulder surgeries using a post-operative pain pump can possibly develop PAGCL.

A summary of the most recent 2007 study findings and a link to the full summary of the findings is included below.

Results: There were 12 cases of postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (all were the senior author's patients). Four common factors were identified, and only high-flow intra-articular pain pump catheters filled with bupivacaine and epinephrine were a new addition to years of shoulder surgery by the senior author; 177 shoulders underwent arthroscopy in the identified time frame, and only 19 shoulders, of 30 with capsular procedures, had intra-articular pain pump catheters filled with bupivacaine and epinephrine. Of these, 12 have been identified with chondrolysis.

Conclusion: Use of intra-articular pain pump catheters eluting bupivacaine with epinephrine appear highly associated with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis.

Clinical Relevance: Intra-articular pain pump catheters, especially those eluting bupivacaine with epinephrine, should be avoided until further investigation.