Pain Pumps

Continuous-infusion pain pumps have been implanted in many orthopedic surgery patients. These medical devices continually provide local anesthetic to manage post-operative pain. But too often, particularly after shoulder surgery, patients who have had pain pumps implanted suffer persistent joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion instead of pain relief. Some patients, including healthy young adults, have experienced such serious injury as cartilage damage and destruction of cartilage. These patients may be able to hold the pain pump manufacturers liable for their pain and suffering. 

If you or a family member has suffered health problems after having a continuous-infusion pain pump implanted as part of orthopedic surgery, contact the Florida pain pump lawyers of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, at 1-800-299-8878, or fill out our online contact form. We serve victims of defective pain pumps in South Florida and the Treasure Coast, including in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Jupiter, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Vero Beach.

Pain Pump Problems and Injuries are Well Known

Pain pumps are small disposable plastic devices. They deliver a steady, measured flow of pain medicine, typically for 24 to 72 hours. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some patients who undergo joint surgery and receive continuous intra-articular infusions of anesthetic to control pain report joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion within two to five months of the procedure.

In many cases, patients fitted with pain pumps developed chondrolysis. This is a serious condition involving destruction of cartilage and the death of tissue (known as “necrosis”). Patients injured in this manner often need additional arthroscopic and joint replacement surgery. Nearly all cases reported by the FDA involve patients who underwent shoulder surgery.

Federal medical device regulators have made it clear that elastomeric pain pumps were not approved by the FDA for continuous intra-articular infusion of local anesthetic after orthopedic surgery. Nor was the selection of drugs used in the pain pumps for infusion directly into the joint approved by the FDA. Because of the risk of serious injury to patients, the FDA in 2009 warned health care professionals not to use pain pumps for unapproved procedures.

Problems with pain pumps are not limited to a single manufacturer or type of elastomeric infusion device. The manufacturer of pain pumps most commonly mentioned in patient complaint reports was Stryker Corp., according to the FDA. Other companies mentioned were I-Flow and Breg and the distributor, Don Joy. 

Why You Need an Experienced Florida Pain Pump Lawyer

An injury from a pain pump may require you to undergo additional surgery. You shouldn’t have to pay those medical bills yourself. When a medical device failure results in injury, including additional surgery, the injured party has reason to pursue a product liability lawsuit to recover compensation for medical costs, pain, suffering and other losses.

Medical device manufacturers are quick to claim that warning labels on their products are sufficient to excuse them from any liability for their failure. They make this argument to shift the blame to surgeons or other medical personnel. They argue that any lawsuit derived from use of their medical device should be a medical malpractice case instead of a product liability case.

Another factor to consider is that Florida places time limits on initiating product liability lawsuits. The lawsuit must be filed within four years from the date the patient’s injury is discovered.

Restrictions on faulty medical device lawsuits, and the need to distinguish them from medical malpractice cases, make it important to contact an experienced defective medical device / pain pump lawyer such as those at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney. It’s crucial to act quickly if you or a family member has been injured by implantation of a pain pump following surgery.

Contact Our Florida Pain Pump Lawyers Today

Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, has investigated defective medical products, including pain pump implants, in South Florida and the Treasure Coast since 1975, and have offices in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Okeechobee, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach.

If you or a family member has suffered cartilage damage or complications after surgery that involved a continuous infusion pain pump, our Florida pain pump lawyers will be on your side. We are knowledgeable in every aspect of Florida product liability and personal injury law, and we work hard for our clients. We’re willing to fight for justice on your behalf.

Call us today toll free at 1-800-299-8878 or use our online form. We can provide you with a free and confidential case evaluation.