Idiopathic humeral head osteonecrosis mimicking rotator cuff disorders: Two challenging diagnostic case reports

Shoulder pain is a common complaint among patients, and rotator cuff disorders are the most common diagnoses. Humeral head osteonecrosis is easily masked by other more common diagnoses and concomitant conditions.

This challenging diagnostic report consists of 2 cases. Case 1 was that of a 59-year-old man who presented with right shoulder pain that had lasted for >1 year. Case 2 was that of a 52-year-old man who complained of right shoulder pain lasting for 6 months. They both presented with chronic right shoulder pain without relevant trauma history, and the physical examination showed a tenderness point over the right greater tuberosity.

These 2 patients were diagnosed with osteonecrosis involving the right greater tuberosity region via magnetic resonance imaging.

In case 1, the patient underwent cord decompression and artificial bone grafting with C-arm guidance. In case 2, the patient refused surgical intervention and decided to continue receiving physical therapy for symptom control.

In case 1, the patient responded well to cord decompression and artificial bone grafting. After the surgery, the active range of motion was restored and the pain in the right shoulder diminished further. In case 2, conservative treatment helped alleviate the patient's shoulder pain but did not entirely eliminate it.

Physicians should always have a high index of suspicion for osteonecrosis, especially when treating chronic shoulder pain, regardless of whether there are typical symptoms/known risk factors or not.