Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL)
July 30th, 2008 • Filed Under: Injuries • 4 Comments
Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, commonly referred to as PAGCL, is a rare condition which involves the progressive loss of cartilage in the shoulder joint. The painful and debilitating disease has been linked with the use of intra-articular shoulder pain pumps which are sometimes used after arthroscopic surgery.
OVERVIEW: The shoulder joint requires cartilage to move fully, properly and without pain in all directions. Post arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis causes the permanent deterioration of this cartilage, which causes severe pain and limitations on the movement of the shoulder.
The loss of cartilage caused by PAGCL is not reversible and there is no consistently effective treatment to cure the condition. In many cases individuals who suffer the chondrolysis require a complete shoulder replacement surgery, known as glenohumeral arthroplasty.
PAGCL SYMPTOMS: Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis may develop suddenly during the months following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. After initial improvement is seen as a result of the arthroscopy, an onset of new, worse pain may develop between 3 and 12 months after surgery as activities are increased.
Symptoms of the shoulder cartilage loss could include:
- Stiffness
- Pain
- Clicking
- Popping
- Grinding
- Weakness
- Reduced Range of Motion
CHONDROLYSIS LAWSUITS: Medical studies have established a link between the development of PAGCL and the use of intra-articular shoulder pain pumps to deliver medications directly to the joint through a catheter after surgery. Shoulder pain pump lawsuits are being pursued throughout the United States by individuals diagnosed with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis.
Have a Potential Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuits Reviewed by Lawyers
If problems consistent with PAGCL have been experienced following the use of a shoulder pain pump after arthroscopic surgery, submit information to be reviewed by an shoulder pain pump attorney.
Pingback by Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuits — AboutLawsuits.com on 21 May 2008:
[...] debilitating condition which causes the loss of cartilage in the shoulder. The condition, known as Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis or PAGCL, has no consistently successful treatment and often results in permanent shoulder [...]
Pingback by MDL Petition filed for Shoulder Pump Lawsuits — AboutLawsuits.com on 12 June 2008:
[...] after arthroscopic surgery caused the development of a rare, disabling shoulder condition known as Post-Arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL). The condition is associated with the progressive destruction of cartilage, resulting in pain and [...]
Pingback by Pain Pump Lawsuits Continue to be filed over Shoulder Chondrolysis : AboutLawsuits.com on 21 November 2008:
[...] who have developed shoulder chondrolysis after arthroscopic surgery continue to file pain pump lawsuits against the manufacturers of the [...]
Comment by michael on 10 April 2009:
i am a 58 yr old white male who has has 4 surgeries in the last 2 yrs. two for carpal tunnel left and right in feb 08, june o8 one arthrosopic right shoulder rotator Bucket handle tear, with bicept tear and lat tear, july 07 and just this jan 8th 09 i had a spinal fusion c5,6,7, Since my last surgery in jan 09 i went from 222 lbs to 180lbs in 12 weeks i can’t walk or pick any thing up i have a constant clicking in my right shoulder and cannot raise my arm over my head the pain is consant and intolable, in addition i have had multible epidurals in my lower and upper back no pain pump was used could i still have a problem with PAGCL. i currently am involved with a worker comp suit for all my injuries . My attorney is competent and i feel he is doing a good job , but when i ask about PAGCL he and the doctor have never heard of it. The workers comp team wants to send me away to a National center for the management of pain and psyhotherapy because they feel i am suffering depression because i want to break some ones fucking head. i have had recent incidents of sercurity being call because of my threatining behavoirs. What should i do. I have never had a drug problem until this last surgery. Pain management has me on 225mg of morphine no anti depresants