Shoulder Pain Pumps: Canadians Investigate Lawsuits

Toronto, ONCanadian patients who have been injured by defective shoulder pain pumps are now investigating the possibility of a lawsuit against the makers of these pain pumps. The potential plaintiffs allege that the manufacturers of the pumps failed to properly warn them about possible risks associated with the pumps. A major risk of using the shoulder pain pumps is the development of Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL).

One of the reasons that the shoulder pain pumps are causing concern is that many of the people who use them are young. This is because the pain pumps are used in arthroscopic surgery, which is often used to treat sports injuries. PAGCL is a lifelong condition with no cure. Therefore, patients who develop it in their early years will likely have limited shoulder mobility and severe pain in their joint for the rest of their lives. Further surgery can be performed to treat PAGCL; however in many cases even with surgery patients still have limited use of their shoulder joint. Those who were athletes may never play their sport again.

Another cause for concern is that some patients have had arthroscopic surgery, and therefore shoulder pain pumps, on both of their shoulders, putting them at risk of PAGCL in both joints. Limited mobility in both shoulder joints is extremely debilitating and makes day-to-day activities much more difficult.

For patients with PAGCL a main problem is a decrease in shoulder mobility. However, along with that comes a decrease in their shoulder strength. Some report barely being able to perform even the most seemingly simple tasks because they do not have the strength in their arms. Even lifting dishes becomes a problem. For people who were once very active, this can be a depressing development.

PAGCL is also incredibly painful. Many patients who have developed it require medication and even that does not necessarily address their pain. They report an inability to sleep properly and note that they have pain even when they are not moving their shoulder. Those who can move their shoulders note that they experience grinding, clicking and popping in the joint.

Many of the patients who have arthroscopic surgery and shoulder pain pumps are of working age, but are having trouble going back to work because of the PAGCL. Their inability to move their shoulders combined with decreased strength and pain make it difficult for them to work. Some have physically demanding jobs to which they may never return. This means that they must be retrained in new jobs, if that is even possible.

Think about how often movements involve the shoulder joint. The shoulder is not just involved in big arm movements it is also a part of smaller, more subtle actions. Raising a glass to have a drink, cutting food with a knife, writing, folding laundry, brushing teeth and typing on a keyboard are all common activities that require shoulder involvement and are therefore exceedingly difficult for people with PAGCL. Many jobs require a great deal of shoulder involvement, even desk jobs may seem impossible to patients with PAGCL.

Patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery expected that when they came out of the surgery, after a recovery period, their shoulder would be greatly improved. Unfortunately, for those who used shoulder pain pumps it may not be as simple as that. Patients who used shoulder pain pumps may face a lifetime of agonizing pain in their shoulders not to mention a decrease in their quality of life.

Canadian patients who want more information on a potential lawsuit can read LawyersandSettlements' interview with David Klein of Klein Lyons.