A pain pump is a tiny device used to provide pain control medication to an aggravated area of the body following surgery. They are similar in function to pain patches, which provide pain medication over an extended period on a general basis. A pain pump, however, is designed to provide pain medication to a specific location within the body that is recovering from surgery.
Pain pumps are small implants that are placed at the time of surgery. Usually they deliver a steady post-op flow of pain medication to the area of the body that has been impacted by the surgical procedure. In the case of breast implants, they are used to provide a flow of local anesthetic during surgery. Generally however they are implanted for pain control during recovery, providing an automated flow of medication to the patient via a tiny catheter. Two of the most popular uses are for arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery.
Over the last several years there has been growing concern over possible side effects brought on by the use of pain pumps. Patients who have had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in particular have been affected. In 2006 the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons heard a presentation which presented evidence linking pain pumps to a severe joint condition known as post arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL).
What is PAGCL?
This condition affects the glenohumeral joint, which is ball-and-socket joint formed by the end of the arm bone and the socket formed in the shoulder blade. The cartilage that provides the smooth and comfortable movement in this joint goes into an irreversible deterioration, leading to a permanently painful shoulder with vastly reduced range of motion.
The medical research presented in 2006 examined the case histories of 152 patients that had arthroscopic shoulder surgery; twelve of them developed PAGCL. In each of these twelve cases the patients had received dosages of bupivacaine and epinephrine during surgery, and that all had been equipped with a pain pump.
What Can I Do About Pain Pump Damage?
There are both individual and class action lawsuits pending against companies that manufacture, market or distribute pain pump. Corporate or marketing names include Stryker, DJO Inc., I-Flow Inc. and BREG, Inc. These legal liability claims revolve around failure on the part of the manufacturers and distributors to warn medical professionals that the safety of continuous injections of anesthetics may be harmful and that the use of pain pump technology may be a relevant factor in causing permanent injury.
If you have had arthroscopic surgery that involved the use of a pain pump either during or following surgery, and are now having chronic problems with the joint that was surgically repaired, you may have a case for compensation. Contact our legal team today and we will provide a knowledgeable analysis of your medical/legal situation at no charge.
