[Cortisone-induced humerus head necrosis in acute myeloid leukemia: cartilage-preserving arthroscopic spongioplasty].

Osteonecrosis is a long known side effect in patients receiving cortisone or chemotherapy. A young patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2005. After receiving combined cortisone and chemotherapy the patient was in complete remission. In 2007 a total hip replacement was necessary due to femoral head necrosis. Years after the joint replacement the patient reported acute shoulder pain without trauma. In this article an alternative procedure to an endoprothesis in a young patient with a humeral head osteonecrosis is presented.