Shoulder Pain Pump Recall Lawyer Information
Have You Been Harmed by a Shoulder Pain Pump?
Imagine this scenario: You are fresh out of arthroscopic shoulder surgery and you are dealing with intense pain. As a means of relief, the doctor gives you a shoulder pain pump. The device is effective in dulling the pain and you feel confident as you begin your road to recovery.
Except that eventually the use of the shoulder pain pump has the opposite affect and ends up costing you an entire life filled with excruciating pain.
Does this sound like what you or a close relative has gone through? If so, you need to contact the Ogletree Abbott Law Firm today and schedule a free consultation with a Shoulder Pain Pump recall lawyer.
Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery and the Shoulder Pain Pump
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery has continued to grow in popularity over the last few decades due to the fact that it is much less invasive than traditional open shoulder surgery. That being the case, recovery time for arthroscopic shoulder surgery lends itself to quicker recovery times and reduces the risk of infection caused by open tissue in traditional shoulder surgery.
The arthroscopic technique utilizes a camera, which is placed inside a tube. The tube is then slid inside an incision made in the shoulder. And while this surgery is obviously less gruesome than having your shoulder cut wide open, it still produces quite a bit of pain.
To deal with the pain, many doctors offer a shoulder pain pump that infuses a hefty dose of epinephrine and bupivacain directly into the shoulder joint. In the past this seemed a better choice than standard prescription narcotics, which have plenty of unwanted side effects. However, in recent years the medical world has realized this to be a grave mistake.
The Problem with the Shoulder Pain Pump
The medicine delivered by the Shoulder Pain Pump is extremely powerful. If you do not receive the proper dosage, it can result in serious problems. That said, it seems that shoulder pain pumps may end up delivering too large of a dosage to the shoulder.
The medicine then causes cartilage in the shoulder to deteriorate—a problem which is irreversible. This condition, which is known as Post Arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, causes a lifetime of excruciating pain as well as the need for numerous surgeries. And prior to the administration of shoulder pain pumps, it was an extremely rare condition. This is no longer the case.
In 2006, a study was performed on Shoulder Pain Pumps, focusing on 152 patients who had arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Of these, 12 ended up with Chondrolysis. All 12 had been given the Shoulder Pain Pump. Coincidence? Hardly.
This is but one of a large number of studies which all ended up producing evidence linking these pumps to cartilage deterioration.
The FDA Says Shoulder Pain Pumps are Unsafe
Eventually the Food and Drug Administration stepped in and issued a safety alert report to physicians. The report stated that 97 percent of all patients who ended up developing Chondrolysis did so after using a Shoulder Pain Pump. The connection is clear. Shoulder Pain Pumps lead to cartilage deterioration. They strongly advised all surgeons to stop using the pain pumps immediately.
If You Have Used a Shoulder Pain Pump, Then You Are Highly at Risk
If you used a shoulder pain pump, believe us when we say the odds are against you. In fact, it is speculated that as much as 63 percent of shoulder pain pump users end up contracting Post Arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis. That means you are in very real danger.
Symptoms of this condition that you should be on the lookout for are:
- Pain in your shoulder in motion or at rest
- Grinding and/or popping of the shoulder
- Shoulder weakness
- Stiffness of the shoulder
- A lessened range of motion
With that being said, if you had arthroscopic shoulder surgery and have been experiencing chronic pain or any of the other symptoms listed above after using a prescribed Pain Pump, then you may be entitled to compensation. By hiring a Shoulder Pain Pump recall lawyer from the Ogletree Abbott Law Firm, you can receive the help you need in filing your lawsuit.