Shoulder Pain Pumps Deliver Pain, not Relief

Ben Wheeler, TX“Two years ago I had bone spurs in my shoulder removed and was given a shoulder pain pump to take home after surgery,” says Ron. “I removed the pain pump after a week but the pain never went away—in fact it got worse and now I’m facing revision surgery.”

Ron suspects he may have developed PAGCL-- Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chrondrolysis—as a direct result of the shoulder pain pump. He also used it for several days longer than usual (about three days); according to recent studies, more than enough time to cause severe cartilage damage. This condition causes severe pain and often requires shoulder joint replacement surgery—as Ron’s doctor has opined.

“Before my shoulder surgery I only had pain when someone gave me a ‘High 5’ or I accidentally bumped my shoulder,” says Ron. “After the surgery I’ve had nothing but constant pain. I can’t reach above my shoulder or around my back, which has likely contribute to loss of strength. And I can hear my shoulder pop all the time when I move it. Exercising and doing my own physical therapy helps a bit but it’s constantly nagging at me.

I went back to the orthopedic surgeon several times. He told me it was arthritic pain and I should ‘Just live it’. He kind of blew me off; I think it was because my shoulder is worse than before the surgery and he doesn’t want to deal with it. So I got a second opinion and the diagnosis was not good. This orthopedic surgeon said he had never seen a shoulder worn out as bad as mine for someone my age—I’m only 55. How could this have happened?

About six months ago it became clear to me. I saw an ad on TV about shoulder pain pumps. I was so angry with the surgeon for not knowing about the side effects; I think he didn’t want to deal with the fact that this shoulder pain pump messed me up and perhaps I had it for too long. And I was angry with the manufacturer for putting it on the market and not testing it thoroughly beforehand.

Then I started researching online—the damage they can do, and all the subsequent shoulder pain pump lawsuits—and there are a lot of them.

I read that the pain pump causes deterioration of the cartilage and mine appears to be worn out. The second orthopedic surgeon said I was a candidate for future shoulder replacement but I’m too young to have it just now. In the meantime they just recommend taking Advil or any anti-inflammatory med to reduce swelling. I’ve tried that but it doesn’t make any difference.

This shoulder pain pump has really affected my quality of life. It’s really painful to work out and I can’t press any weight over my head. I used to ride road bikes but now I can’t lean on the handlebars. It’s really amazing that these pain pumps are still in use.”