Medical Study Links Pain Pumps to PAGCL
A recent study published by The American Journal of Sports Medicine reported that intra-articular pain pumps are believed to be the cause of Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL) in many shoulder surgery patients. PAGCL occurs when the cartilage located within the shoulder joint begins to deteriorate due to too much pain medicine resulting in permanent shoulder pain and loss of mobility and for many the need for a total shoulder replacement. See summary of study below:
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Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL)
Hansen BP, Beck CL, Beck EP, Townsley RW.
Advanced Joint Care and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, 4344 West Bell Road, Suite 102, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA.
BACKGROUND: Recent reports have noted the appearance of postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis. Although this devastating process has been identified, no cause has been directly identified.
HYPOTHESIS: A cause of postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis will be associated with a specific factor (ie, implanted device, surgical technique, etc), and this factor can be identified by a review and comparison of cases seen in the senior author's office.
STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
METHODS: Analyze possible etiologic factors with imaging studies, demographics, history, and physical examinations of 10 patients (12 shoulders) with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, and then compare perisurgical information with a focused chart review and comparison with the rest of the 177 arthroscopic shoulder surgeries in the same period of time.
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
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PAGCL Pain Pump Units Involved in Litigation
The pain pumps with increased risks of Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL) for its patients include those made by Stryker Co., I-Flow Co., BREG Inc and DJO Inc. (See PAGCL Pain Pump List)
Shoulder Pain Pumps Lawsuits
PAGCL pain pump clients may have legal rights to sue for monetary compensation due to your current injuries, pain and suffering, mental anquish, past and future medical care, future pain and suffering, rehabilitation, loss wages and other legal damages allowed under law when a manufacturer of a medical product makes a defective medical device that injuries its users. In some cases punitive or exemplary damages may be allowed if it can be shown that the manufacturer knowingly continued to sell these pain pumps knowing the harm it was causing.
The Willis Law Firm has represented thousands of clients across the United States in defective and recalled medical devices, recalled drugs and other product liability claims. Mr. Willis is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer with 25+ years of legal experience. Call and talk to the Willis Law Firm about your legal rights in a Pain Pump Lawsuit or pain pump class action lawsuit that has been file.
If you or a loved one have had a shoulder surgery and were given a pain pump and then within 2-12 months developed cartilage damage or cartilage deterioration or you have been diagnosed with chondrolysis or Post-arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL) following an arthroscopic surgery, then you should contact the Willis Law Firm immediately. You may be entitled to substantial compensation if our experts can prove that the pain pump caused your PAGCL. Please fill out the online form below or call us to discuss your legal rights to file a drug / product liability lawsuit against the makers of these dangerous pain pumps.
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