Ischemic necrosis of multiple major joints: report of two cases

Two patients with idiopathic ischemic necrosis of multiple major joints are described. One had both humeral and femoral heads involved and the other had involvement of the humeral heads and one femoral head. These combinations are uncommon. Specific causes could not be found in the histories, although one patient was a chronic alcoholic and and other was severely allergic to coffee dust. In the care and follow-up of patients with ischemic necrosis, attention should be given to the possibility of involvement of multiple major joints.