Pain Pumps
A pain pump is a medical device that is used for delivering targeted doses of pain medication to a specific area of the body. There are a variety of pain pumps available, including several brands and ways of using them, ranging from managing severe post-operational pain to chronic pain. Pain pumps are typically prescribed by a pain clinic, as well as programmed and implanted by surgeons.
The pain pump is designed to deliver medication directly to the surgical wound site or in close proximity to the nerves associated with the surgical area for post-operative pain management. The pain pump infuses the medication at an hourly flow rate or combination of an hourly flow rate and controlled bolus doses.
Pain pumps are used after arthroscopic shoulder surgery since they control the pain without the use or side effects of narcotics and result in less recovery time after surgery. A recent study published by The American Journal of Sports Medicine identified intra-articular pain pumps (aka post-operative pain pumps) as the likely cause of a condition known as chondrolysis. Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL) is a specific type of chondrolysis that is associated with pain pumps and shoulder surgery.
Those that have suffered cartilage damage after arthroscopic surgery have filed class action lawsuits in various federal courts against the manufacturers and distributors of pain pumps. They allege that the devices destroy the cartilage in the shoulder and that the manufacturers failed to warn the medical community that the injections would cause permanent injury.
Anyone who has used a pain pump to regulate pain following shoulder, knee, hip, ankle or back surgery may have a case if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Continued pain
- Weakness in the shoulder
- Clicking, popping or grinding in the shoulder
- Decreased range of motion in the shoulder
The following criteria apply to pain pump class action lawsuit cases:
- The pump must be inserted into the glenohumeral joint space, not outside joint space and not in the subacromial joint space
- The patient must have suffered cartilage damage, adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder"
- The pain pump must have contained a "caine" such as Marcaine or Sensorcaine. It cannot be a narcotic, such as Morphine or Dilaudid
If you are experiencing shoulder problems after arthroscopic surgery and believe they may be caused by a pain pump, you may be entitled to file a class action lawsuit and receive compensation. Class action lawyers focus on representing patients in defective medical device lawsuits. Class action lawyers accept shoulder pain pump cases and can advocate on your behalf to ensure a speedy recovery. Contact Attorney Search Network today to find a class action lawyer in your area.
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