Stryker Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuit Settled Days Before Trial

Stryker Corporation has reached an agreement to settle a shoulder pain pump lawsuit brought by six people who allege that they suffered permanent damage to the cartilage in their shoulder after using one of the company’s devices to deliver pain medication after arthroscopic surgery. 

A lawsuit brought by Erika Creech, David Elder, Tyler Jones, Cody Thygesen, Julie Olsen and Jordan Schweizer was settled 18 days ago, resolving the case before a trial that was scheduled to begin today.

The settlement agreement came less than a month after a federal judge in Utah rejected Stryker’s attempt to have the 2007 complaint thrown out. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

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According to the complaint, all of the plaintiffs received a Stryker pain pump following shoulder surgeries between February 2003 and February 2004. Plaintiffs allege that the combination of drugs delivered directly into their shoulder joints during the days after surgery caused the cartilage to deteriorate.

Known as chondrolysis, the painful and permanent loss of cartilage can cause decreased range of motion, pain, popping and grinding of the joint, which often leads to the need for a total joint replacement. 

The complaint is similar to a number of other shoulder pain pump lawsuits currently pending in courts throughout the United States against Stryker and other manufacturers of similar devices, including I-Flow, Breg, DePuy, Inc. and Smith & Nephew, Inc.

In November 2009, the FDA required manufacturers of the pumps and the local anesthetics used with the devices to add new warnings about the risk of chondrolysis from should pain pumps. The warnings were designed to alert healthcare professionals that the use of pain pumps following shoulder surgery to infuse medication directly into the joint increases the risk of chondrolysis, particularly involving the shoulder.

7 Comments

  • RickJuly 10, 2023 at 11:11 am

    I had should pain pump that ate my cartilage and now need a shoulder replacement at 45, anything I can do?

  • HollisMarch 11, 2023 at 11:12 am

    Paine at all times tenden tears and rceded movement restricted weakness some swelling

  • JuanJanuary 31, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    2003 had shoulder orthopedic surgery I was working for the city of Phoenix AZ water department injury they took good care of me through work man comp. Sent home with pain pump I remember doctor telling me this pain pump is a new thing we're using. Didn't make it through therapymy shoulder froze up could not move it few Months later he had to redo surgery sent me home again with another pain pump. [Show More]2003 had shoulder orthopedic surgery I was working for the city of Phoenix AZ water department injury they took good care of me through work man comp. Sent home with pain pump I remember doctor telling me this pain pump is a new thing we're using. Didn't make it through therapymy shoulder froze up could not move it few Months later he had to redo surgery sent me home again with another pain pump. I tried to complete my therapy but was not able to go back to work. Lost my home my job now I'm on disability please help Thank you.

  • KatherineSeptember 22, 2021 at 4:46 pm

    I had a hip replacement done and had a Stryker pain pump that caused the cartilage in my hip to deteriorate at 27 years old I had to have 2 full hip replacements

  • DanApril 1, 2021 at 7:01 pm

    I have gotten shoulder orthopedic surgery in Roaring Springs PA and 2006. I am pretty sure I used i-flow pain pump it was in my arm for at least a week or longer. I was young at the time I did not know there was a settlement I did not know all these companies got sued as well. I don't know who to contact or turn to for help my shoulder constantly pops and constantly in pain. I can provide all the [Show More]I have gotten shoulder orthopedic surgery in Roaring Springs PA and 2006. I am pretty sure I used i-flow pain pump it was in my arm for at least a week or longer. I was young at the time I did not know there was a settlement I did not know all these companies got sued as well. I don't know who to contact or turn to for help my shoulder constantly pops and constantly in pain. I can provide all the right documents to prove my statement. Can someone please help me and let me know who I have to contact if I have a settlement or money. In a treasury for me. Years ago I got a piece of paper in the mail saying that I might have compensation due to the FDA not approving the pain pump I filled it out and I never heard anything back

  • JeffDecember 3, 2020 at 12:45 am

    My name is Jeff and I had a shoulder replacement 02/24/2004 and also had the Stryker pain pump that was recalled. I'm 45 years old and have severe cartilage deteriation in my shoulder. I had an MRI and all kinds of test done and I have the arthritis of an 80 year old man. I don't know what to do. IV been in pain for years and im sick of it. Please someone help me!!

  • CarriFebruary 11, 2020 at 8:30 pm

    I am caregiver for Brandi Kiser dob 3/26/84 she had Shoulder surgery 12-13 years ago using the after surgery pain pump at CMH in Boliver MO. We went to Mercy Orthopedic surgeon in Springfield MO Dr Seafall III today and he stated her shoulder looks like at 80 year old and she is only 35 he has never seen such deterioration on such a young person she was a 1%er they don’t ever see. Brandi has many[Show More]I am caregiver for Brandi Kiser dob 3/26/84 she had Shoulder surgery 12-13 years ago using the after surgery pain pump at CMH in Boliver MO. We went to Mercy Orthopedic surgeon in Springfield MO Dr Seafall III today and he stated her shoulder looks like at 80 year old and she is only 35 he has never seen such deterioration on such a young person she was a 1%er they don’t ever see. Brandi has many mental health medical diseases which prevent her from handling this kind of thing on her own and she is also On disability. She was devastated to learn they can not repair her shoulder only replaced it. She has no transportation only a few people who helps her and now she is going to have to go to pain management clinic until we can get her into a major medical surgery facility about 3-5 hours away for shoulder replacement surgery and it’s likely she will require another since she is so young and the replacement are not designed to last her lifespan. She deserves to be compensated for her medical and pain/suffering she is experiencing and what’s to come in near future and additional surgeries to come in her far future.

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