Core Decompression with Synthetic Grafting as a Joint Preservation Strategy in Humeral Avascular Necrosis Due to Sickle Cell Anemia: A Case Report

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral or humeral heads in patients with sickle cell anemia is a common and painful condition. There is currently no gold standard treatment protocol for this condition. Typically, the pain is managed with narcotics and activity restriction until there has been collapse of the subchondral bone with a degree of arthrosis sufficient to warrant total joint arthroplasty. This method entails prolonged pain for the patient and decreases the ability to function occupationally and recreationally. A 51-year-old African-American woman with a history of sickle cell anemia presented for the evaluation of significant bilateral shoulder pain that was confirmed to be AVN via radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of both her humeral heads without joint collapse. She tried and failed conservative management with physical therapy and optimization of sickle cell treatment with pain medications for years, so she desired surgical management. Arthroscopically assisted core decompression of her humeral heads with synthetic grafting was performed in an attempt at joint preservation. This report demonstrates a technique of staged decompression of necrotic bone in the bilateral humeral heads with synthetic bone grafting to determine if this could function as a joint preservation strategy. This procedure was considered successful to alleviate the patients' pain in both of her arms. The application of this procedure is significant because it could be used in various future medical joint preservation cases for a wide range of patients.