Shoulder pain pumps, which are usually used following arthroscopic shoulder surgery, have become quite popular, as they can help manage post surgery pain with out the aid of narcotics. Another benefit of the shoulder pain pumps is that they can help reduce recovery time by limiting the amount of breakthrough pain. Unfortunately, the benefits of shoulder pain pumps are now being called into question, as serious, debilitating, and long term shoulder damage has been linked to their use, particularly those which administer  bupivacaine with epinephrine.

Medical research has established the connection between the use of intra-articular shoulder pain pumps and the patient's development of postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL). The shoulder pain pump is used to deliver medication to the site of the surgery, through the use of a catheter, which is inserted directly into the shoulder joint. Medication is then infused for several days and the disposable pump is removed when it is not longer needed.

Shoulder pain pumps, such as Stryker Pain Pump or I-Flow On-Q Pump, used to manage pain and deliver medication after arthroscopic surgery may lead to serious injury and permanent damage to shoulder cartilage. This is because shoulder pain management pumps have been linked to Post-Arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL), a rare condition that results in the destruction of shoulder joint cartilage. The condition results in permanent shoulder pain, and as of yet, there is no treatment which has been consistently successful in treatment.

PAGCL, resulting from the use of shoulder pain pumps, may take three to twelve months to appear, following arthroscopic surgery. The symptoms of shoulder pain pump induced PAGCL include:

• Persistent shoulder pain whether in motion or at rest
• A noise during shoulder movement, such as clicking, popping or grinding
• Stiffness or weakness of the shoulder
• Limited range of shoulder motion

Post-operative pain pumps carry the risk of irreversible cartilage damage in the shoulder. The consequence of using shoulder pain pumps include the need for shoulder replacement surgery and long-term pain and lost mobility.

The dangers associated with the use of these pumps have led many victims to pursue litigation.