Chondrolysis: Painful Joint Injury Linked to Use of Pain Pumps

The use of pain pumps to deliver powerful painkilling narcotics directly to shoulders, knees, and other joints following surgery has been associated with a rare but very painful injury called chondrolysis. When joint cartilage dies and leaves bones to grind together, it can mean permanent and severe loss of range of motion and additional procedures to replace the damaged joint.

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Stryker Pain Pump Injury Lawsuit Filed

A Las Vegas woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Stryker Corp. for injuries she claims were caused by the use of a defective pain pump.

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Reports of Cartilage Damage in Post-Surgery Anesthetic Patients

Dozens of patients given certain localized pain killers following surgery have developed chondrolysis, a condition marked by the destruction of articular cartilage in the shoulder or other joints, the Food and Drug Administration is warning.

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Medtronic Issues Class I Recall of Sutureless Catheter and IsoMed Infusion Pump

Medtronic Inc. has issued an urgent recall of its Sutureless Connector intrathecal catheter and IsoMed constant-flow infusion pump, which when used together pose a risk of serious complications to patients.

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Intra-Articular Pain Pumps Can Result in Permanent Damage to Shoulder Cartilage

The use of intra-articular pain pump catheters following shoulder surgery appears to cause permanent cartilage damage, according to a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. The damage, called postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, is a life-changing injury that can result in substantial pain and significantly limit the use of the shoulder. An intra-articular pain pump catheter is a tiny, flexible plastic tube that is implanted in the shoulder joint during surgery. The pump most often stays in place for …

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