Frequently asked Questions

Arthroscopic surgery involves the use of a small camera. Two small incisions are made, one for the camera and the second for any needed surgical instruments. A surgeon views the images on video monitor. When the surgery goes well, shoulder arthroscopy can be used for diagnostics and repair, with minimal trauma, reduced pain, and shortened recovery time.

Shoulder arthroscopy can, however, be an extensive procedure requiring a significant amount of pain and pain medication. Following surgery, pain pills, such as hydrocodone or morphine, and anti-inflammatory medications are administered. Also, a disposable pain pump may be used. The pain pump typically contains Marcaine (Bupivacaine) or Xylocaine (Lidocaine) and may contain Epinephrine which is pumped directly into the shoulder joint through a catheter. The pain pump is typically used for two or three days. Thereafter, the catheter can be removed by the patient when the pump is no longer needed.

The glenohumeral joint the area of your shoulder which is composed of the ball at the end of the upper arm bone and the socket of the shoulder blade, joining the arm and shoulder. The head of the arm bone is covered in cartilage, which allows the shoulder joint to move without grinding. Chondrolysis means cartilage cutting apart. Glenohumeral chondrolysis is the breakdown and/or dissolution of the cartilage a person’s shoulder joint. Without this cartilage the shoulder in not capable of moving properly. The result is extreme pain as well as stiffness and reduced range of motion.

No, class actions are a legal procedure where a single person who files a class action lawsuit represents many people with the same problem. Courts generally do not approve full class action treatment for pharmaceutical and medical device cases. And where they do, class members have a right to opt-out of the class and file their own lawsuit. For PAGCL cases we believe that clients should be individually represented and we do not anticipate that a class action will be filed or certified.

You may have seen some discussion on the Internet of creating a Multi District Litigation (MDL) for PAGCL litigation. A MDL is a procedure where all cases in federal court are transferred to a single court; usually in some other state. While this is more efficient for the judicial system it generally takes longer to resolve individual cases. The request to create an MDL for PAGCL claims was denied. We support this decision and believe that an MDL is not in the best interest of our clients.