Pain pumps

Pain pumps, also known as infusion pumps, are devices that feed a steady flow of anesthetic into the surgical space following surgery. The devices fell under strict review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after numerous reports of chondrolysis were reported in patients who had used the pumps, leading the agency to launch the Infusion Pump Improvement Initiative to address infusion pump safety problems.

Chondrolysis is a condition in which the cartilage in the joint space wears away causing bone to rub against bone. It causes severe pain and loss of motion. There is no cure for chondrolysis other than total shoulder replacement.

While the pumps may be beneficial in surgeries such as “tummy tuck” procedures, they have been proven unsafe for shoulder surgeries and in fact were never even approved by the FDA to be used in that manner. But that didn’t stop pain pump manufacturers from instructing surgeons to use the pumps in shoulder surgeries. As a result, hundreds of chondrolysis sufferers have filed lawsuits against pain pump manufacturers claiming they were not adequately warned of the risk of developing chondrolysis.

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Pain pumps cause problems for shoulder surgery patients

Johnson is suing Moog Inc., Stryker Corp. and Stryker Sales Corp., McKinley Medical, Curlin Medical and Linvatec Corp. for economic, non-economic and punitive damages resulting from use of his pain pump.

Pain pumps are balloon-like medical devices filled with medication that rest outside the body. The device has a catheter that is placed into the shoulder area and feeds medication to the surgery site for up to 72 hours. When all the medication has been used, patients simply pull the catheter out of the body. While the pain pumps have reduced hospital stays and provided relief immediately following shoulder repair surgeries, the long-term effects can be dangerous. The anesthetic used in the pain pumps eats away at the cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to a debilitating condition known as chondrolysis.

Chondrolysis occurs when cartilage in the shoulder joint wears away causing bone to rub against bone. Those with chondrolysis have pain in the shoulder joint and limited mobility. Many require shoulder joint replacements.

Several people treated with pain pump devices following shoulder surgery have developed this once-rare condition, and many are joining Johnson in the fight against pain pump manufacturers for justice.

Source: The Southeast Texas Record

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Another lawsuit filed against pain pump manufacturers

Shoulder injuries are serious and can be career-ending. McCoy’s injury roused speculation from fans and sports media about McCoy’s future with the NFL, which prompted Texas to release the statement to set the record straight and quiet any concerns that McCoy’s injury would sideline his football career.

According to the statement: “Colt sustained a nerve injury involving his right (throwing) shoulder that prevented him from returning to the game. The injury caused numbness and weakness in his arm that prevented him from throwing with the strength or accuracy he needed. He wanted to go back into the game but with the weakness he was having in the shoulder, we couldn’t clear him to do that.

“The weakness in his shoulder also put him at risk of greater injury. From the time of the injury, we were continually treating and re-evaluating him but he wasn’t able to regain the strength he needed to get back on the field.”

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Texas releases statement updating McCoy shoulder injury

Bradford wowed Sooners fans with his talent and his humility. Following last season’s successes, Bradford turned down what many expected would be millions of dollars from the NFL and opted instead to stick with his college team for another year. However, during the first game of the season against Brigham Young University, Bradford suffered a shoulder sprain. He missed three more games before aggravating the shoulder injury more in a loss to Texas. His decision to have the season-ending shoulder surgery prompted questions from media about whether he regretted his decision not to go pro last year.

“No. Absolutely 100 percent no regrets,” he said at a press conference announcing his decision. He later elaborated about his decision to stay: “Considering this is where I grew up and this is where I dreamed about playing, to put this in the past is extremely tough. I’ve been blessed to be here. The past 3 1/2 years have been 3 1/2 of the best years of my life. I wouldn’t trade a day of it.”

Shoulder surgery will put Bradford in a difficult situation with the NFL, as he will have to convince recruiters that he can make a full recovery. As of now, Bradford has until mid-January to declare for the draft.

Source: Tulsa World

SOURCE: Pain Pumps › Bradford to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery