Texas Pudendal Neuralgia Lawyer

Transvaginal mesh and slings are linked to pudendal neuralgia, a severe side effect that causes long-term pelvic pain and nerve damage.

Need a Texas Pudendal Neuralgia Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with pudendal neuralgia, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

What is Pudendal Neuralgia?

Pudendal neuralgia, or “pudendal nerve entrapment,” is long-term pelvic pain that is caused by damage to the pudendal nerve, which is a major nerve in the pelvis and genital area. Pudendal neuralgia can be caused by transvaginal mesh or slings. It is also sometimes called Alcock canal syndrome.

Do I Have a Nerve Injury?

You may have a nerve injury if you suffer from one or more symptom listed below:

• Groin pain
• Hip pain
• Pain with sitting
• Tailbone pain
• Anorectal pain
• Burning/stabbing pain
• Labia majora pain/burning
• Clitoral pain or numbness
• Severe pain that makes vaginal penetration impossible
• Inability to wear tight pants
• Painful bladder/Painful bladder filling

Other Signs & Symptoms of Pudendal Neuralgia

• Genital or pelvic pain
• Pain is more severe when sitting
• Sexual dysfunction (numbness or pain)
• Urinary incontinence or retention
• Feeling of “fullness” in the vagina or rectum
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Painful bladder filling syndrome (interstitial cystitis)
• Pain from actions that do not normally cause pain (allodynia)
• Ilioinguinal nerve block

Pelvic Pain and Transvaginal Mesh Implants

Pelvic pain occurs in 6-9% of patients with transvaginal mesh. Pudendal neuralgia is the most severe type of pelvic pain from these implants. Experts such as Dr. Greg Vigna estimate that 1-2% of women who have filed transvaginal mesh injury lawsuits are suffering from symptoms of pudendal neuralgia.

What Causes Pudendal Neuralgia?

The pudendal nerve can be permanently damaged during the surgery to implant transvaginal mesh or a transobturator (TOT) sling. The nerve can also be damaged if the immune system rejects the mesh, resulting in chronic inflammation, irritation to the pudendal nerve, or the growth of scar-tissue that compresses the pudendal nerve.

How Long Until Symptoms Appear?

The signs of pudendal neuropathy from transvaginal mesh or TOT slings can begin immediately after the device is implanted. Or, the pain may develop several years after the mesh is implanted. In many cases, the only treatment option is surgery to remove the mesh.

Misdiagnosis is Common

Pudendal nerve damage is commonly misdiagnosed as other conditions, such as endometriosis or interstitial cystitis, which also cause pelvic pain, inflammation, discomfort during sex, and other symptoms. Experts say the “telltale sign” of pudendal neuralgia is pelvic pain that gets worse when sitting down, and gets better when standing or lying down.

Pudendal Nerve Blocks

Treatment for pudendal nerve damage commonly involves a procedure called a nerve block. During the procedure, a doctor injects an anesthetic and sometimes an anti-inflammatory steroid into the pudendal nerve to block pain signals.

Surgery to Remove Transvaginal Mesh

Surgery to remove transvaginal mesh is usually necessary for women who are suffering from pudendal nerve damage. Unfortunately, it may be impossible for a surgeon to completely remove the mesh implant because it is designed to be permanently incorporated into the pelvis.

Surgery for Pudendal Nerve Damage

If the symptoms of pudendal neuralgia persist after surgery to completely remove a transvaginal mesh implant, the next step is to determine if the pudendal nerve has been compressed by scar tissue. The patient may need another surgery to relieve nerve pressure.

Will my Pudendal Nerve Heal Itself?

Yes. So long as the pudendal nerve has not been completely cut off, it can heal from injuries and sensation can return to normal. The healing process often takes several months or years.

Treatment for Pudendal Neuralgia

Treatment options for pudendal neuralgia may include:

• Spinal cord stimulators
• Physical therapy
• Pudendal nerve blocks
• Neurolysis
• Pelvic floor physical therapy
• Vaginal suppositories
• Botox injections to the pelvic floor
• Nerve surgery
• Decompression surgery

Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits

Over 100,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed, and nearly $8 billion in settlements have been paid by major manufacturers such as Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson.

The lawsuits accuse manufacturers of aggressively pushing doctors to implant transvaginal mesh implants, while downplaying the risk of severe side effects such as pudendal neuralgia.

Class Action Lawsuits

Instead of a class action, the lawsuits are consolidated in MDL No. 2327 in a federal court in West Virginia before the Honorable Joseph R. Goodwin.

Instead of a class action, our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits for women who were diagnosed with pudendal neuralgia as a result of transvaginal mesh implants. We seek financial compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent injuries, quality of life, and more.

Need a Pudendal Neuralgia Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.