“It gives me a little peace of mind to go get (the surgery),” Hall told the Chronicle. “Seeing the MRI and seeing what I’ve been dealing with the last couple of years, it kind of puts me at ease to go get it fixed. That way I can get back out there (as) the player that I used to be and be healthy (and) go out there with two labrums.”

The labrum is located in the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. Since the shoulder socket is very shallow, a cuff of cartilage called the labrum allows the arm bone to move within the shoulder socket, giving it more stability and range of motion. The labrum, however, is susceptible to injury. Most labrum tears do not require surgery, but patients with persistent symptoms after trying other treatments unsuccessfully may need surgery to correct the problem.

Shoulder surgery often requires the use of pain pumps for post-operative pain management. The pain pump is implanted into the shoulder joint during surgery and delivers a steady amount of medication to the wound site.

A recent study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine identified post operative pain pumps, or intra-articular pain pumps, as a likely cause of Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, a debilitating condition in which the cartilage in the shoulder joint breaks down, causing the bones in the shoulder to rub together. The condition can cause chronic pain and can limit mobility. Additional surgeries may be required.

The Astros will void Hall’s minor-league contract, as he will be out at least four months for surgery as opposed to just one month if he had tried rehab without surgery.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Astros Toby Hall opts for shoulder surgery to correct torn labrum

Osteoarthritis is a common aliment that has earned the condition a top ranking in disability of Americans. Symptoms of stiffness, pain and limited movement are caused when the cartilage at the end of the bone breaks down, causing the bones to rub together at the joints. The most common remedy has been arthroscopic surgery, during which surgeons insert a scope with a camera through small incisions, where they smooth damaged cartilage surfaces and flush out bone chips. This allows for faster healing time than traditional surgery.

To alleviate pain following knee surgery, doctors at times will insert a pain pump to deliver medication directly to the surgical wound site. These post-operative pain pumps can help alleviate the pain associated with surgery, but they may come at a greater risk. Post-operative pain pumps, or intra-articular pain pumps, are routinely used in similar arthroscopic surgeries for shoulder injuries.

A recent study by The American Journal of Sports Medicine identified a link between the post-operative pain pumps and a painful, cartilage deteriorating condition known as Postarthoscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, or PAGCL. PAGCL can cause irreversible damage and may require additional surgeries.

Patients who are considering knee surgery are advised to discuss alternative options with their physicians.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Studies show medication, physical therapy as effective as knee surgery

A torn labrum flap is an injury to the part of shoulder joint. Having the surgery could likely end the season for Francis. Though he is a month behind on his throwing program, he says he will continue to pitch and hope that he can work past the shoulder discomfort.

Perhaps one reason Francis hopes to avoid surgery is that shoulder surgery often requires a pain pump for post-operative pain management. The pump is implanted into the shoulder joint during surgery and delivers a steady amount of medication to the surgery wound site. This is often a preferred alternative to narcotics and pain-killers, which can have negative side effects.

However, post-operative pain pumps recently have been associated with a painful condition known as Post-arthoscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis , or PAGCL, in which the cartilage in the shoulder joint break down, causing the bones to rub against each other. The damage can occur rapidly. PAGCL is believed to be irreversible and may require extensive surgeries.

The symptoms of PAGCL can begin to develop as early as two months after surgery up to a year following the procedure. Symptoms of PAGCL include decreased mobility and range of motion; constant pain both at rest and in motion; shoulder stiffness and/or weakness; and popping, clicking, grinding noise in the shoulder. Those who experience symptoms are encouraged to contact their physicans.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Shoulder surgery decision weighs on Rockies’ Jeff Francis

The study analyzed data from the 2005-2007 National High School Sports Injury Surveillance System and showed that shoulder injuries made up 18 percent of all injuries caused during both baseball and wrestling, and 12 percent of injuries caused during football. The report identified that shoulder injuries were three times more likely to occur during competition.

Overall, six percent of shoulder injuries required surgery. The sport that caused more surgeries to shoulders was wrestling. When shoulder surgeries are performed, they most often require the use of a pain pump to deliver medication directly to the surgical site for post operative pain management.

However, these post-operative pain pumps, also known as intra-articular pain pumps, can cause severe problems in some patients. Many patients who have used pain pumps have suffered from Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, (PAGCL) a painful condition that occurs in the shoulder when the cartilage between the ball and socket of the shoulder breaks down causing the bones to rub against each other.

Individuals who have used a pain pump to manage pain following shoulder surgery – or any other joint-related surgery – should consult their physician if they experience continued pain; weakness; clicking, popping or grinding; or decreased range of motion.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Study: Shoulder injuries happen more often to high school boys than girls

Post-operative pain pumps are a pain-management system that deliver medication directly to the surgical wound. The pumps came under fire recently after The American Journal of Sports Medicine linked intra-articular (or post-operative) pain pumps to cases of Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, a progressive degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder resulting in pain and loss of motion. Chondrolysis is a chronic condition that often requires surgery.

Until the 1990s, the pumps delivered medication at a limited flow rate. In the late 1990s, manufacturers increased the amount of anesthetic used in the pain pumps. The lawsuit contends that continuous injection of the high-volume anesthetics into the shoulder can cause serious and permanent damage to the joint cartilage in the shoulder. The lawsuit also claims the pumps were marketed without first doing studies to determine the safety of the high-volume pain pumps or what damage could have occurred, instead encouraging use of both the pain pumps with the high doses of anesthetics.

“The plaintiffs are demanding compensatory damages for fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty,” according to the report.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Pain pump manufacturers named in lawsuit

Postoperative pain pumps are a pain-management system designed to deliver medication directly to the surgical wound or in close proximity to the nerves associated with the surgical area. A recent study published by The American Journal of Sports Medicine identified the post-operative pain pumps as the likely cause of articular chondrolysis, a progressive degeneration of the cartilage. Chondrolysis of the shoulder results in the narrowing of the joint space, which can cause pain and loss of motion. Chondrolysis is a chronic condition that often requires surgery.

As of July 2008, Health Canada had received eight reports of articular chondrolysis one month to one year following shoulder surgery. In all cases, the chondrolysis was thought to have been related to pain pumps. All patients listed in the incidence reports received bupivacaine, a local anesthetic, with epinephrine, a hormone and neurotransmitter.

Instructions for use on the label of the postoperative pain pumps discourages continuous intra-articular infusion of anesthetics, particularly when epinephrine is used.

In its announcement, Canada Health also urged health care professionals to report any adverse incidents following the use of pain pumps or other medical devices to the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate through the Inspectorate Hotline at 800-267-9675.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Health Canada issues warning about postoperative pain pumps