Idiopathic Avascular Necrosis of Humeral Head: A Rare Case Report

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head is a rare but concerning condition that can lead to significant joint pain and eventually results in arthritis, greatly impacting a patient's quality of life.In the early stages, symptoms related to AVN of the humeral head are often unrecognised and non-specific, which can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.Corticosteroid use is the most common aetiology behind AVN.We present a rare case of a young female who had aplastic anaemia for which she received steroids and more than four years post-treatment, she presented with shoulder pain and was found to have AVN of the humeral head.Management strategies include physiotherapy of the shoulder.This helps enhance muscle strength and improve range of motion.These therapies are used before considering core decompression or other surgical options.