Filing a PAGCL Legal Claim
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Was Pain Pump used, either before or after Surgery
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Have you been diagnosed with or have symptoms of PAGCL?
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MEDICAL STUDIES AND PAGCL
2007 Medical Findings of Dr. Charles Beck
The most upsetting study regarding shoulder pain pumps and PAGCL was conducted by Dr. Charles Beck, an orthopedic surgeon, and his colleagues. Dr. Beck published his findings in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2007, along with a plea to other orthopedic surgeons to stop using shoulder pain pumps.
In Dr. Charles Beck’s study, 177 cases of arthroscopic shoulder surgeries were studied. In 19 of these cases, a shoulder pain pump was used. 12 cases of PAGCL resulted from the 19 uses of shoulder pain pumps.
All told, 63 percent of patients who had a shoulder pain pump inserted ended up with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL). Dr. Charles Beck stated:
"Based on our findings, hundreds appear to be at risk for this complication which results in severe pain, debilitating stiffness and eventual joint replacement surgery for many of those affected."
Results of Dr. Charles Beck’s study:
All cases of PAGCL developed only from the larger, high-flow intra-articular pain pump catheters. In all cases of PAGCL, these pain pumps were filled with a combination of the two drugs bupivacaine and epinephrine.
None of the other 177 cases of arthroscopic shoulder surgeries used shoulder pain pumps. None of the other patients developed post arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL).
Dr. Charles Beck’s coauthors of this study linking shoulder pain pumps and PAGCL are: Brent P. Hansen, DO, Elizabeth P. Beck, RN, and Robert W. Townsley, PA-C. Their studies were conducted in association with Advanced Joint Care and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, out of Glendale, Arizona, and the Center of Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Excellence, in West Jordan, Utah.
References:
Brent P. Hansen, DO, Charles L. Beck, MD, Elizabeth P. Beck, RN, and Robert W. Townsley, PA-C, "Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis" as published in American Journal of Sports Medicine. July 3, 2007.