Accufuser Plus Pain Pump Subject of Lawsuits Claiming Shoulder Damage

By Jim Greene

Published on February 11, 2010

The Accufuser Plus disposable post-operative pain control pump is designed to deliver a steady stream of prescription liquid anesthetic directly to the site of surgery, in order to relieve pain in the first few days after a surgical procedure. It is one of several similar devices that are the subject of numerous personal injury lawsuits claiming permanent damage to shoulder joint cartilage.

According to manufacturer Moog, Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y., use of the Accufuser pain pump is easy, effectively manages pain, increases recovery time, and lowers postsurgical costs. The device delivers anesthetic pain killers through a catheter, which is inserted at the surgical site as the procedure is completed.

Advanced Model Allows Patient to Get Extra Doses

The Accufuser is meant to be used for up to five days after surgery, according to Moog's Web site. It can be used to deliver up to 10 milliliters of pain killer per hour, and allows the patient to self-administer extra doses. The company claims use of the device requires less medication than other delivery methods.

Plaintiffs in lawsuits against Moog claim the steady stream of pain killer delivered by the Accufuser has deteriorated joint cartilage, in some cases requiring joint replacement surgery. They claim Moog was negligent in promoting the device for use after shoulder surgery.

After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of possible shoulder joint damage, the agency ordered Moog and other makers of pain pumps to warn of the possible dangers of the steady stream of pain killer to cartilage tissue.

FDA Says Joint Use Not Covered By Approval

The FDA pointed out that it had approved pain pumps only for use after abdominal surgery, such as hysterectomies, and that, while pain killers had been used safely for years as single injections to joint cartilage, the steady stream application had not been well researched.

If you or someone you know has suffered irreversibly damage to joint cartilage after using the Moog Accufuser or another pain pump, contact an experienced defective products/personal injury attorney. You may be eligible for financial compensation for medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

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