LARSEN AND HANSEN STUDIES ON PAGCL

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Prior to the 2007 study by Charles Beck linking shoulder pain pumps and PAGCL, several other studies were also published regarding PAGCL. Two prominent investigations are medical papers published by B. Hansen and M.W. Larsen, M.D.

2006 Medical findings of B. Hansen and colleagues

B. Hansen and colleagues conducted a study involving 152 patients over a nearly four-year period (between January 2002-December 2005). This study, presented to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2006 Annual Meeting, found a strong link between use of shoulder pain pump catheters and PAGCL (Post-arthroscopic shoulder (Glenohumeral) chondrolysis).

Hansen’s 2006 study results showed that every patient who developed chrondrolysis (PAGCL) also:

Used a shoulder intra-articular pain pump catheter.

Had been given a combination of bupivacaine and epinephrine through the pain pump.

Did not develop PAGCL until they began using the larger pain pump.

2002-2004 Medical findings of M.W. Larsen, MD

A paper presented to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons by M.W. Larsen, MD, in Chicago, Illinois indicated that a surgeon’s expertise or inexperience does not seem to be related to the development of Post-arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). Also, thermal shoulder treatments ("thermal capsular shrinkage") used to treat shoulder joint instability appears to increase the risk of developing PAGCL.

M.W. Larsen, MD and colleagues observed six patients develop Post-arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis over a two-year period (2002-2004). They found several factors in common among the patients who developed PAGCL.

Common Factors among PAGCL patients in Chicago, IL:

All PAGCL patients were treated by experienced surgeons.

All PAGCL patients had multiple shoulder arthroscopy surgeries.

The second or third surgery was more likely to produce PAGCL.

Patients in this study who developed PAGCL were between the ages of 15-32.

Thermal shoulder treatments were used on most of the patients who developed PAGCL.

Severe cartilage deterioration was seen on patients’ x-rays.

References:

Larsen MW, Basamania CJ, Higgins LD.
"Severe glenohumeral chondrolysis following shoulder arthroscopy resulting in arthroplasty." Program and abstracts of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2006 Annual Meeting; March 22-26, 2006; Chicago, Illinois. Paper 284.

Hansen BP, Beck CL, Townsley RW. "Post-arthroscopic shoulder chondrolysis with associated intraarticular pain pump catheter use." Program and abstracts of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2006 Annual Meeting; March 22-26, 2006; Chicago, Illinois. Paper 360.

Pain Pump Resources

• About Shoulder Pain Pumps
• Larsen and Hansen Medical Studies on PAGCL
• Medical Studies and PAGCL
• Medical Equipment Manufacturers Ignored Risk for PAGCL
• Where's the Shoulder Pain?
• Shoulder Dislocation
• Shoulder Anatomy