Humeral head necrosis associated to shaft non-union with massive bone loss: a case report

Acta Biomed. 2020 Sep 7;91(3):e2020076. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i3.7989.

Abstract

Humeral non-union is a rare complication in shaft fractures, as well as humeral head necrosis is a possible complication in fracture involving the proximal third especially in four-part fractures. The presence of head osteonecrosis and diaphyseal non-union in the same arm represents a formidable challenge for an orthopaedic surgeon. We could not find any similar report in the literature dealing with this issue thus far. We present a case of a 65 years old woman referred to our hospital being affected by an atrophic humeral diaphyseal non-union with a massive bone loss (>10cm) associated to a humeral head osteonecrosis following a previous surgical procedures with a clear loosening of the hardware. At our institution,she was treated with hardware removal and insertion of a diaphyseal antibiotic spacer with Gentamycin for 2 months suspecting an active septic process at the union site despite negative cultural exams. Finally, she was treated with a cemented modular humeral megaprosthesis. At 20 months follow up, the patient, despite a reduced shoulder range of motion, referred to a pain-free recovery to an almost normal lifestyle, including car driving with no major disturbances. This case suggests that, in extreme selected cases following several failed treatments, megaprosthesis can represent a viable solution, especially in huge bone loss associated to joint degeneration, to ensure an acceptable return to a normal lifestyle.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Plates
  • Diaphyses
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Humans
  • Humeral Fractures* / surgery
  • Humeral Head* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humeral Head* / surgery
  • Necrosis
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Treatment Outcome