Pain Pump Complications: Do You Have Grounds for a Lawsuit?

For years, intra-articular pain pumps have been used for pain management following shoulder surgery. Evidence revealing pain pump catheter complications, however, has led to litigation to recover damages on behalf of injured patients.

An intra-articular pain pump catheter is usually placed into the joint by the surgeon during the shoulder procedure. The small, flexible tube remains in the joint for several days to deliver pain medication, usually a combination of bupivacaine and epinephrine, to the shoulder. What many patients undergoing these procedures do not know is that such pumps have been associated with an extremely debilitating condition called postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL). Many victims of this condition have been forced to seek pain pump lawsuit settlements to help lessen the damage that has been done.

Intrathecal Pain Pump Complications and Cartilage Damage

In an intrathecal pain pump lawsuit, a patient attempts to get compensation for their suffering or disability due to PAGCL. PAGCL is the deterioration of cartilage around the joint following shoulder surgery. Cartilage is the tissue between joints that acts as a cushion to prevent bones from scraping against each other; when cartilage inside a joint deteriorates, the result is extremely painful.

In 2006, a paper was presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons showing evidence that the use of intra-articular pain pumps could be responsible for this painful condition. The study looked at 152 patients who had undergone arthroscopic shoulder surgeries. Twelve of the patients developed PAGCL. All of the patients who developed the condition had received pain pumps during their surgeries, and the use of the intra-articular pain pump was the only factor that the PAGCL patients had in common, leading to the conclusion that intrathecal pain pump complications were at fault.

Pain Pump Lawsuit Settlements Can Provide Needed Relief

PAGCL is one of the most common intrathecal pain pump complications that can follow shoulder surgeries. It is extremely painful and can cause lifelong disability. PAGCL is usually diagnosed with an X-ray showing the narrowing of the shoulder joint space. Symptoms of PAGCL include pain at the shoulder when it’s in motion or at rest; increased shoulder stiffness; popping or grinding when the shoulder is in motion; decrease in range of motion; and a loss of strength in the joint.

Treatment for PAGCL is almost always more surgery. However, many patients never regain full use of their shoulder joint. Patients who are contemplating shoulder surgery need to be aware of this potential complication, and if they experience any symptoms associated with PAGCL following the implantation of a pain pump, they should seek medical attention immediately.

See if You Qualify for an
Intrathecal Pain Pump Lawsuit

If you or someone you love suffers from PAGCL, call Parker Waichman LLP today to see if you have grounds for a pain pump class-action lawsuit or individual action. Pain pump complications can detrimentally affect an entire family, and our experienced team of personal injury and class action attorneys can help you recover the settlement you need. While pain pump lawsuit settlements can’t turn back the clock, just compensation can help with expenses tied to medical treatment and an inability to work as well as improve your quality of life.

Contact 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER today for a free consultation to discuss your eligibility for a pain pump class-action suit. We’re ready to answer your questions and help you seek justice.