Avascular Necrosis of the Humeral Head
Written by
Dr Eugene Ek
PhD, MBBS | Senior Accredited Orthopaedic Registrar
Definition
- Most people present late with this disease because of the non-weightbearing nature of the shoulder. The treatment options are limited, & arthroplasty remains the mainstay of treatment of advanced osteonecrosis
- similar causes as hip
- similar presentation to OA
- Differences
- Superior head collapse at 90° mark (60° GH elevatn)= patient of peak contact stress in abduction (sounds same as OA)
- ROM Maintained until late
- Glenoid rarely affected
- Nor is Greater or Lesser Tuberosities
- Soft tissue & subscap rarely contracted
- Hemiarthroplasty usually works well because glenoid not usually affected by disease process