Avascular necrosis of the humeral head after shoulder arthroscopy

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair usually provides pain relief after surgery. In the early postoperative period, tendon re-rupture can trigger the pain again, and this rupture is usually confirmed by ultrasound. In this case report, we present a case of tendon re-rupture with concomitant rapid-onset avascular necrosis after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. In an early stage, avascular necrosis can only be confirmed using MRI, and ultrasound may confound the diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to suspect this postoperative complication in female patients presenting with pain despite initial improvements after rotator cuff repair. Early diagnosis helps manage symptoms and control disease progression. In this case, a reverse shoulder arthroplasty provided pain relief and an acceptable range of motion.