Absence of the head of the humerus in an adult Nigerian- a case report

Abstract

The spherical head of the humerus forms the ball of the ball-and-socket of the shoulder joint, with the glenoid cavity of the scapular acting as the socket. The rounded shape of the head of the humerus allows the humerus to move in a Complete circle (circumduction) and rotate around its axis at the shoulder joint. In absence of the head of the humerus, the above functions of the shoulder joint will be lost resulting in rotator cuff injury, frequent dislocation of the shoulder which is extremely painful and may require surgical repair or even cause permanent damage. The humerus described in this ease report showed absence of the head with normal greater tubercle, lesser tubercle and intertubercular sulcus, intact shaft and distal extremity. Absence of the head of the humerus has been generally considered to be a rare condition and has not been previously described in a Nigerian. This defect recorded may be recognized as a group of deformities (Congenital or fractured) of the shoulder joint.