Arthroscopic-Assisted Intraosseous Bioplasty of the Humeral Head for Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis of the humeral head is an uncommon condition, and treatment options are controversial. The shoulder is the second most common location for osteonecrosis, typically presenting between the second and fifth decades of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential because osteonecrosis may progress and lead to significant pain and loss of function. Nonoperative options are limited and are based on addressing the cause of the osteonecrosis. Multiple surgical treatments have been described, and these techniques continue to evolve. Open core decompression of the humeral head has been found to be an effective surgical option to restore blood supply and stimulate new bone formation. The evolution of arthroscopic techniques combined with biological adjuncts allows a minimally invasive approach with potential to accelerate revascularization and bone growth. We describe our technique for arthroscopic-assisted intraosseous bioplasty of the humeral head for the treatment of osteonecrosis.