Hemi resurfacing of the humeral head for an osteochondral lesion affecting the entire head surface.

An osteochondral lesion of the entire articular surface of the humeral head has not previously been reported. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a huge osteochrondal lesion which affected virtually the whole articular surface of the humeral head, caused by an unusal mechanism of injury. Clinical examination revealed a stiff, weak, painful shoulder. Radiographs were unremarkable and an ultrasound scan suggested a supraspinatus tear with retraction. At arthroscopy the lesion was identified but the lesion was to large for arthroscopic removal. A humeral head hemi-resurfacing as a treatment for this lesion produced excellent results, the patient returned to her pre-injury level of function with no pain.