Pain Pump Lawsuit

Pain Pump Lawsuits

A substantial health (and now, legal) issue has developed over the use of pain pumps. These devices – formally known as intra-articular pain pumps – are used following surgery to provide pain killers directly to the area around the physical repair. In the case of arthroscopic shoulder surgery, a small but significant number of patients have suffered the onset of postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis – the formal term for severe deterioration of the shoulder cartilage. This in turn leads to chronic pain, stiffness weakness and reduced range of motion because without the cartilage, the ball-and-socket bones are rubbing directly against each other.

One medical study has shown significant correlation between the use of pain pumps following shoulder surgery and the onset of cartilage deterioration. A severe case of this affliction will lead to shoulder replacement surgery. Accordingly, several pain pump lawsuits have been filed claiming that the manufacturer has some liability in the pain pump’s contribution to post-op difficulties.

There have been a number of pain pump lawsuits filed in the Portland Oregon area; others are pending in a number of jurisdictions. One physician has made an appeal to his colleagues to cease using these devices, while coverage of the relationship between pain pumps and cartilage deterioration has occurred in such publications as the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Arthroscopic shoulder repair has become common among athletes because it is non-intrusive and requires a relatively short period of recovery. However use of a pain pump may prolong and complicate the process. If you feel your health care experience may be the grounds for a pain pump lawsuit, just give us a call and one of our legal professionals will review your case with you in detail.