What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of a 38-year-old male who developed dysbaric osteonecrosis of the humeral head 60 days after experiencing type 2 decompression sickness from a rapid ascent during diving.
What They Found
They found that a 38-year-old male diver, who experienced rapid ascent and type 2 decompression sickness, developed shoulder pain 60 days later. An MRI revealed non-specific subcortical oedema of the humeral head, indicating early dysbaric osteonecrosis, despite having completed 26 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Divers, especially those with a history of decompression sickness, should be aware of potential delayed complications like dysbaric osteonecrosis. Early diagnosis is crucial as it can impact rehabilitation prescriptions and prevent pathological fractures.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings of this study are limited in their generalizability to a wider patient population.