Crisp, who has not played since June 12, was put on the disabled list and restricted from all swinging and throwing activities. “Obviously, that’s not a good sign,” says general manager Dayton Moore.

Once thought of as a career-ending injury, torn labrums can be repaired and one’s throwing ability restored. Recovery usually takes several weeks. It also can be considered a safer procedure than in years past, when the device used to alleviate pain following surgery ended up causing more damage and, in many cases, rendering the shoulder useless.

Intra-articular pain pumps are devices that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to deliver medication through a catheter placed directly into the tissue near the wound site. In the early 2000s, pain pump manufacturers asked the FDA if the catheters could be placed directly into the shoulder joint rather than the tissue. The FDA said no; more testing would be required.

Instead of working the proper channels to get the alternative use approved, pain pump manufacturers began advising surgeons to place the catheters into the shoulder joint. As a result, patients began suffering from a condition known as chondrolysis. Chondrolysis is the disappearance of cartilage in the shoulder resulting in joint narrowing and stiffness. In some cases, shoulder replacement may be necessary.

The improper use of pain pumps has ceased, but those injured by the devices are just beginning to experience problems and as a result numerous lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of pain pumps.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Royals’ Crisp may need shoulder surgery