“It’s a growing problem,” Dr. Charles Metzger, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the upper extremities in Houston, told the Palm Beach Post. “It’s very common for younger and younger players to come in with elbow and shoulder pain and miss playing games as a result.”

One reason why more young children are complaining of elbow and shoulder injuries is because children are specializing in one sport or one position at younger and younger ages, leaving them more susceptible to injuries from overuse. They also play longer seasons, about 6.3 months on average for children age 7 to 15 years. And these young athletes are throwing curve balls and sliders at younger ages, which strains the shoulder joint. In some cases, these injuries may require physical therapy or even surgery. The best medicine, Dr. Metzger said, is prevention.

Experts say resting the arm regularly, cross-training instead of specializing in one sport or activity, and stretching the throwing arm after play can help minimize injury.

“If we can make it required that kids stretch after pitching a game, we can significantly lower the number of kids who have to quit baseball because [of] their arms pain or injury,” Metzger said. “My take-home message here is to do your stretches. They help.”

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › More young children suffering shoulder injuries from baseball

Labrum repair surgery requires months to heal because the fibrocartilage has a poor blood supply. During surgery, the labrum is stitched together and anchored to the bone. It generally takes about six months for the tissue to heal. Typically, surgeons perform authroscopic surgery to repair shoulder injuries in patients and often use pain pumps to help alleviate pain for up to 72 hours following surgery. Pain pumps offer an alternative to narcotics and pain killers; however, misinformation about how the pain pumps should be used provided by pain pump manufacturers years ago have resulted in debilitating – and for some athletes, career-ending – injury to the shoulder joint.

The injuries stem from a change in the way pain pump manufacturers began to market the devices to surgeons, according to Frank Woodson, shareholder for Beasley Allen Law Firm. When the pain pumps were originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the pump’s catheter was to be placed in the shoulder tissue. However, in the 1990s and early 2000s, pain pump manufacturers began advising surgeons to place the pain pump catheters in the joint space, or intra-articular area, allowing pain medication to go directly into the joint space. This use had not been approved by the FDA. Shortly after the pumps were used in the inappropriate manner, per the advice of the pain pump manufacturers, “doctors began to see patients suffer severe damage to their shoulder cartilage that we’ve rarely seen before,” Woodson said.

What resulted was the loss of cartilage, or joint space, commonly called chondrolysis. It leads to severe pain because the cartilage in the shoulder space is gone, causing bones to rub together. As the condition progresses, patients may require shoulder replacement and it makes normal daily activities painful and difficult.

There are approximately 140 lawsuits filed by people who have been injured by misuse of these pain pumps. All are pending in state and federal courts throughout the country. “There are many more cases under review across the country and there will likely be many more filed,” Woodson said. “As patients and physicians learn more about the link between pain pumps and chrondrolysis, I think you’ll see many more people come forward.”

Source: Google: AFP

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Magic’s Nelson plays just months after shoulder surgery

However, in the 1990s and early 2000s, pain pump manufacturers began to market the product differently, according to Beasley Allen shareholder Frank Woodson. “The catheter was intended and approved by the FDA to be placed into the shoulder tissue. (But) with advice from manufacturers, the pain pump catheters were being placed in the joint space or intra-articular area, which allowed the pain medication into the joint space.”

By advising surgeons to use the pump in such a manner – one that had never been approved by the FDA – tragedy ensued. “Doctors began to see patients suffer severe damage to their shoulder cartilage that we’ve rarely seen before,” Woodson said.

What resulted was the loss of cartilage, or joint space, commonly called chondrolysis. It leads to severe pain because the cartilage in the shoulder space is gone, causing bones to rub together. As the condition progresses, patients may require shoulder replacement and it makes normal daily activities painful and difficult.

There are approximately 140 lawsuits filed by people who have been injured by misuse of these pain pumps. All are pending in state and federal courts throughout the country. “There are many more cases under review across the country and there will likely be many more filed,” Woodson said. “As patients and physicians learn more about the link between pain pumps and chrondrolysis, I think you’ll see many more people come forward.”

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Pain pump manufacturer’s bad advice leads to ‘tragedy’

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

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

This sort of story is happening to more and more young athletes due to the pain pumps used after shoulder surgeries. Shoulder problems are occurring in young athletes, causing them to look to surgery to relieve the pain and get back into the game. Little did they know that after the surgery, the pain pump used to alleviate their pain would leave them with permanent damage and little hope of returning to sports.

Since nothing can be done about past cases, the only thing to do is try to prevent shoulder injuries for young athletes in the future. Some of the sports that put pressure on the shoulder include swimming, baseball, softball and motorcross. No matter which sport, the steps to shoulder injury prevention are all the same.

First, using the proper technique is very important when throwing or using shoulder motions. When fatigue sets in, more strain is put on the shoulder causing problems to increase. Know the correct technique!

Next, flexibility of the shoulder is crucial. The rotator cuff muscles are dependent on good positioning of the scapula, which create the ability for the muscles to produce power. However, flexibility does not automatically mean stretching. Recent studies have shown that static stretching for flexibility should not be done prior to training. Static stretching is used to stretch muscles when the body is at rest. It is recommended that instead of static stretching, dynamic stretching is best for the shoulder. Dynamic stretching uses speed of movement, momentum and active muscular effort to bring about a stretch, according to Sports Fitness Advisor.

The next step to preventing shoulder injuries is core strength and stability. The important areas for the shoulder include the lumbar spine (lower back), cervical spine (neck) and the scapulothoracic joint (shoulder). If these areas are strained, it is passed onto the shoulder joint. It is crucial to strengthen and stabilize these areas.

The last step is muscle strength. Once the core is stabilized, it is important for the shoulder and arms to be strengthened. This can be done through weights or Thera-Bands.

Practicing these steps can help prevent shoulder problems that would eventually lead to surgery. Practice them. It’s worth it.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Steps to prevent shoulder injuries