Monday, April 23, 2012

Chondrolysis and Pain Pumps - more recent cases

Recently we cared for two individuals under the age of 40 with chondrolysis after the use of pain pumps for the intra-articular infusion of local anesthetics.

The first had a cuff repair and subacromial decompression with a pain pump a decade ago followed by progressive loss of comfort and function. X-rays showed joint space loss.


In spite of the patient's young age, we recommended a total shoulder because of our observation that individuals with chondrolysis have a difficult time rehabilitating a ream and run procedure.

At the time of surgery, the cartilage over the humeral head was gone.

We hope that some comfort and function will be restored after the total shoulder.



The second patient had had arthroscopic surgery with a pain pump over 6 years ago. Two years later the patient's surgeon performed a hemiarthroplasty for chondrolysis.
Because of persistent pain and loss of function, the patient presented to us for complex conversion to a total shoulder.






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