Shoulder pain pumps, most commonly used in arthroscopic surgery, have been linked to serious side effects. The most severe of theses side effects is the deterioration of cartilage, which may lead to shoulder replacement surgery. Most commonly known as PAGCL (Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis or Shoulder Chondrolysis, this permanent deterioration causes decreased range of motion; clicking, grinding or popping of the shoulder; shoulder stiffness or weakness; constant shoulder pain and a narrowing of the joint space around the shoulder. These injuries in turn require further surgery and more medication for relief.

Recently, a ruling by a District Court in Virginia concluded that Stryker, a shoulder pain pump manufacturer, has a post-sale duty to warn consumers in a negligence action of the risks associated with its pain pumps. This case was brought to the court by a Virginia patient who used Stryker's shoulder pain pump, and suffered from severe side effects resulting in further injury.

Currently, other pain pump lawsuits are pending for patients who have used shoulder pain pumps and reported that instead of easing their pain, the shoulder pain pumps actually contributed to more pain in the long run. An estimated 75 cases are awaiting trial, with some to start as early as February 2009. Pain pump lawyers are reviewing even more potential shoulder pain pump cases. At least nine more pain pump cases were recently filed in Arizona federal court alone, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

Besides Stryker Corporation, the other major manufacturers involved in the pending cases are DJO Inc., I-Flow and BREG Inc.. Some lawsuits are also against AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company that sells anesthesia used in the pain pumps, for failing to test the safety of the drugs used in the pain pumps.

Stryker manufactures and markets three different pain pumps: the 'Pain Pump I', the 'Pain Pump 2' and the 'Pain Pump 2 BlockAid'. According to the company's website, Stryker's pain pumps deliver medication directly to the surgical wound site or in close proximity to the nerves associated with the surgical area. The pumps provide a continuous flow of medication at an hourly rate, or a combination of a continuous flow of medication and controlled extra doses. The problem with the pumps have centered around them being used directly in the joints.

is a consumer advocacy website that provides information about shoulder pain pump litigation.