Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4044785 Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery 2009 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

Shoulder arthroscopy has become a routine outpatient surgery. Pain control is a limiting factor for patient discharge after surgery, and several modalities are used to provide continued analgesia postoperatively. Regional anesthetic blocks and shoulder pain pumps are common methods to provide short-term pain control. Shoulder pain pumps can be used either in the subacromial space or within the glenohumeral joint. Several clinical studies suggested—which was confirmed by a bovine and rabbit cartilage study—that there is significant chondrotoxicity from bupivacaine, a local anesthetic commonly used in pain pumps. Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis is a noninfectious entity associated with factors including use of radiofrequency thermal instruments and intra-articular pain pumps that administer bupivacaine, but there have been no cases reported with subacromial pain pump placement. Treatment options are difficult in a young patient with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, and understanding the literature with regard to risk factors is paramount to counseling patients and preventing this devastating complication.

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