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The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Sickle Cell Disease and Bone Problems
Sickle cell disease causes multiple bone and joint problems due to abnormal blood cells blocking blood vessels - the most common issues are avascular necrosis (death of hip or shoulder ball from blood supply loss affecting 50% of patients by age 35), bone pain crises (acute episodes mimicking infection), and increased infection risk particularly Salmonella bone infections, requiring specialized orthopedic care including early surgery for AVN and careful perioperative management.
📖What is Sickle Cell Disease and Bone Problems?
Sickle cell disease causes multiple bone and joint problems due to abnormal blood cells blocking blood vessels - the most common issues are avascular necrosis (death of hip or shoulder ball from blood supply loss affecting 50% of patients by age 35), bone pain crises (acute episodes mimicking infection), and increased infection risk particularly Salmonella bone infections, requiring specialized orthopedic care including early surgery for AVN and careful perioperative management.
🔬What Causes It?
- Avascular necrosis (AVN) from sickled cells blocking blood vessels to femoral or humeral head
- Vaso-occlusive crises causing acute bone infarcts and severe bone pain
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection) - Salmonella most common organism in sickle cell patients (unlike Staph aureus in general population)
- Chronic bone marrow hyperplasia causing bone deformities and weakness
- Hand-foot syndrome (dactylitis) in children from bone marrow infarction in small bones
⚠️Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Sickle cell disease (HbSS genotype highest risk)
- Age (AVN risk increases with age - 50% affected by age 35)
- Previous vaso-occlusive crises (more crises increase AVN risk)
- Dehydration (triggers sickling and vaso-occlusive crises)
- High altitude or air travel without supplemental oxygen (low oxygen triggers sickling)
🛡️Prevention
- ✓Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 liters water daily to prevent sickling)
- ✓Take hydroxyurea medication as prescribed (reduces vaso-occlusive crises 50%)
- ✓Avoid triggers (cold exposure, dehydration, high altitude, excessive exercise without hydration)
- ✓Regular follow-up with hematology and screening MRI if hip/shoulder symptoms develop
- ✓Prompt treatment of infections (reduces sepsis risk and vaso-occlusive triggers)